Pakistan and Afghanistan Initiate Polio Vaccination Drives in Response to Resurgence of Cases

Uncategorized Dante Raeburn October 29, 2024

Pakistan and Afghanistan Initiate Polio Vaccination Drives in Response to Resurgence of Cases

Pakistan and Afghanistan initiated new polio vaccination campaigns due to a recent spike in cases. In Pakistan, health officials mobilized 400,000 workers to vaccinate over 45 million children, while the Taliban-led Afghanistan aims to reach 6.2 million children in specific provinces. The resurgence has been attributed to vaccine hesitancy and violence against health workers, particularly in border regions. WHO emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies to integrate marginalized populations and counter misinformation.

On Monday, Pakistan and Afghanistan commenced new vaccination drives against polio, driven by a worrying increase in cases within these two nations, which are the last strongholds of the poliovirus. According to the World Health Organization, there have been 64 confirmed polio cases this year, with Pakistan accounting for 41 and Afghanistan for 23, significantly rising from the previous total of six cases each in 2023. The Pakistani government reported that its nationwide campaign, lasting one week, mobilizes 400,000 health workers to immunize over 45 million children under the age of five against this crippling disease. Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Pakistani Prime Minister’s special advisor for polio eradication, remarked, “This is Pakistan’s third nationwide campaign this year, launched in response to the alarming increase in polio cases across 71 districts.” Balochistan, the southwestern province bordering Afghanistan, has especially borne the brunt of this surge, contributing over half of the total reported infections due to high transmission rates. Meanwhile, the southern province of Sindh has seen 12 cases this year. Anwarul Haq, the coordinator of Pakistan’s National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication, emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging parents to collaborate with health teams. He stated, “With the threat at an all-time high, we must act as one nation to keep our children safe through vaccination,” underscoring the fact that there is no cure for polio once contracted. The resurgence of polio in Pakistan is largely attributed to vaccine hesitancy driven by misinformation, particularly in rural areas where conspiracy theories claiming the vaccine is part of a Western plot to sterilize Muslim children have gained traction. Moreover, security concerns have escalated as militant groups in volatile regions bordering Afghanistan have targeted vaccination efforts, resulting in violence against health workers and accompanied law enforcement. In Afghanistan, Taliban health officials also initiated a three-day vaccination campaign, aiming to vaccinate 6.2 million children under five in 16 provinces, primarily near the border with Pakistan. This new campaign commenced after a nearly two-month delay due to the Taliban’s halt on house-to-house vaccine distributions in Kandahar province. Instead, the Taliban authorities shifted to site and mosque-based vaccination methods citing security concerns. An independent monitoring report on the Global Polio Eradication Initiative suggested that the Taliban’s decision derives from apprehension regarding covert observation activities, especially as Kandahar is recognized as the de facto center of Taliban governance. Furthermore, Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada has instituted severe restrictions on women’s rights, which complicates the social dynamics affecting vaccination efforts. In addressing the ongoing polio eradication challenges in Afghanistan, WHO experts have indicated the necessity for the integration of large migrant populations and outreach to communities resistant to vaccination. Establishing a dedicated female public health workforce for the polio initiative has also been highlighted as a crucial step toward overcoming the multifaceted obstacles in the impoverished nation.

Polio vaccination campaigns have been essential in combatting the resurgence of polio, particularly in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the only two countries where the virus remains endemic. The increase in cases has raised alarms regarding immunization outreach, safety of health workers, and the impact of misinformation on public health initiatives. Furthermore, the social and political context in Afghanistan under Taliban control complicates vaccination efforts, making the situation more urgent and challenging. Health authorities aim to adapt their strategies in these regions to effectively combat polio transmission amid ongoing public hesitance and security risks.

The simultaneous launch of polio vaccination campaigns in Pakistan and Afghanistan reflects urgent public health efforts in response to escalating polio cases. Both countries are grappling with unique challenges that hinder eradication efforts, including widespread misinformation, insecurity, and political obstacles. Health officials stress the importance of cooperation among communities to ensure children are protected against this preventable disease, highlighting the critical role of vaccination in public health.

Original Source: www.voanews.com