Pakistan is one of only two countries where poliomyelitis (polio) remains endemic, the other being Afghanistan. While other neighbouring countries in South Asia have been polio-free for many years, Iran and Bangladesh, both Muslim countries, were declared polio-free in 2006 and 2014, respectively. However, Afghanistan and Pakistan, both bordering Muslim countries, have not yet been able to eradicate the poliovirus. Nigeria was also on the list of polio-endemic countries, but it was officially certified free from poliovirus in 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Due to deep-rooted misconceptions and misinformation about anti-polio vaccines among some sections of religious groups, they are often portrayed as a Western agenda, with claims that the vaccine contains ingredients that will cause sterilisation in children. However, facts and data prove otherwise. Pakistan has one of the fastest population growth rates, approximately 2.55 per cent in South Asia, with high fertility rates and a large youth population.

Other key challenges Pakistan faces include cross-border migration between Pakistan and Afghanistan, resistance and refusal from parents, restricted access in rural and northern areas, geographical barriers, and attacks on polio vaccination teams. These factors contribute to the recurrence of polio cases in Pakistan. The law and order situation and conflicts in some parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have impacted the frequency and outreach of anti-polio vaccination campaigns. Resistance from parents has also been reported in some urban centres such as Karachi.

The Polio Immunisation........

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