Misinformation risks reversing Pakistan’s hard-won gains against polio

Category: Pakistan | By: AFSHAN RIAZ | 2025-10-27 14:26:15

🌟 Key Highlights

✅ 99% coverage achieved during October 2025 National Immunisation Days (NIDs).
👩‍⚕️ 7.07 million children vaccinated across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).
⚠️ 84,000+ children still missed — mainly in high-risk and inaccessible areas.
🚔 Polio teams face renewed attacks in southern districts.
🧠 Misinformation, migration, and insecurity remain the biggest hurdles.

🏥 A Major Achievement with Persistent Risks

Pakistan’s fight against polio reached a new milestone as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 99% vaccination coverage during the October 2025 NIDs campaign, according to official data released by the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

Out of a target of 7.15 million children, vaccination teams successfully immunised 7.07 million, with refusals falling to just 0.3% — a record low for the province.

“Pakistan is closer than ever to eradicating poliovirus, but the remaining missed children still pose a risk,” an EOC official said.

🧭 District-Wise Success

Districts including Batagram, Mansehra, Torghar, Kohistan, and Buner achieved 100% coverage, showcasing the dedication of thousands of health workers who reached remote and mountainous areas despite security and logistical challenges.

In Peshawar, over 869,000 children were vaccinated, marking a significant turnaround for a city once labelled a polio reservoir. Officials credited real-time monitoring systems and “missed-children mapping” for improving accountability and coverage.

🛑 Security Challenges for Frontline Workers

Despite remarkable progress, polio workers and security escorts continue to face violent attacks in parts of southern K-P and the tribal districts.
Several incidents in 2025 forced temporary campaign suspensions, but teams resumed door-to-door visits as soon as security allowed.

“Our frontline workers are heroes. They risk their lives to ensure no child is left behind,” said a senior health officer. 🕊️

📉 Fewer Refusals, Stronger Community Trust

Health officials reported a dramatic drop in vaccination refusals — from over 2% in previous years to just 0.3% this October.
Districts like Torghar, Chitral Upper, and Kohistan recorded zero refusals, thanks to:

📢 Awareness campaigns led by local influencers and clerics.

👩‍👩‍👧 Female community health workers engaging directly with hesitant families.

📱 Countering misinformation spreading through social media.

Still, 84,572 children remain unvaccinated — classified as “Not Available” — largely in Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, and Karak, where migration, displacement, and insecurity continue to hinder access.

🌍 A Decade of Progress — and Remaining Challenges

In 2014, Pakistan reported over 300 polio cases, the highest in the world. By 2024, cases had dropped to single digits, showing the country’s success in controlling transmission.
However, complete eradication remains elusive due to:

🚷 Cross-border movement between Pakistan and Afghanistan — the two remaining polio-endemic nations.

🤔 Vaccine hesitancy in conservative communities.

🔥 Security risks for health teams.

“Polio now hides in the smallest of cracks — the last missed children, the last insecure villages,” said an EOC spokesperson. “If we lose focus now, the virus will return.”

💪 The Final Mile to Eradication

Experts emphasise that Pakistan has the tools and public commitment needed to end polio once and for all. The key now is:

🛡️ Enhanced protection for health workers.

🧩 Cross-border coordination with Afghanistan.

🗣️ Continued community engagement to defeat misinformation.

“Eradicating polio is not just a public-health goal — it’s a national mission,” said the provincial coordinator. “Every drop of vaccine is a drop of hope.” 💧