Pakistan Final Polio Campaign 2024: 44M Children to Be Vaccinated

Pakistan has launched its final anti-polio campaign for 2024, aiming to vaccinate over 44 million children under the age of five. This week-long drive will be conducted in 143 districts, starting from December 16, 2024. The goal is to protect children from the crippling effects of polio and to eliminate the disease from the country.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the campaign by administering polio drops to children himself. His message to parents and communities was clear: polio must be eradicated to protect the future of Pakistani children.

“We will win this war (against polio) despite the difficulties we faced in the past,” declared PM Shehbaz.

He also thanked global partners like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Government of Saudi Arabia for their continuous support in the fight against polio.

Current Polio Situation in Pakistan

Pakistan remains one of only two countries in the world, along with Afghanistan, where polio is still a threat. Despite efforts to eliminate the disease, polio cases have increased this year. The virus primarily affects children under five, causing lifelong paralysis in some cases.

Polio Cases in 2024

• Total Cases in Pakistan: 63 cases reported\n
• Most Affected Province: Balochistan (41% of total cases)\n
• Breakdown of Cases by Province:\n
  • Balochistan: 26 cases (41% of total cases)\n
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP): 18 cases\n
  • Sindh: 17 cases\n
  • Punjab: 1 case\n
  • Islamabad: 1 case\n

Balochistan remains the hardest-hit province, with most cases reported from districts like Chaman, Dera Bugti, Qila Abdullah, Quetta, and Jhal Magsi.

Why Polio is Still a Threat in Pakistan?

Despite continuous vaccination campaigns, polio still exists in Pakistan. Here are some reasons why the virus has not been fully eliminated:

• Security Issues: Polio workers face threats and attacks in certain regions, making it difficult to reach every child.\n
• Vaccine Misinformation: False claims about vaccines discourage some parents from allowing their children to be vaccinated.\n
• Hard-to-Reach Areas: Some areas are remote or inaccessible due to weather, security, or rough terrain, making it difficult for health workers to vaccinate children.\n
• Community Resistance: Misinformation and distrust in the vaccination process prevent some families from cooperating with health workers.\n

Objectives of the Final Polio Drive of 2024

This campaign aims to eliminate polio once and for all. The government’s strategy focuses on ensuring that no child is left unvaccinated. The primary goals of the campaign are:

• Vaccinate 44 million children under 5 years of age across 143 districts.\n
• Cover hard-to-reach areas and ensure polio drops reach every child.\n
• Increase public awareness about the importance of vaccination and address misinformation.\n
• Engage community leaders to support polio workers and promote vaccination efforts.\n

Campaign Details and Strategy

The anti-polio drive will be conducted from December 16 to December 22, 2024. It will cover 143 districts, focusing on areas with a high number of polio cases, especially Balochistan. Health workers will go door-to-door to ensure every child receives the vaccine. Here’s a breakdown of the campaign’s strategy:

Key Details of the Polio Campaign

Role of Parents in Polio Eradication

The success of this campaign relies heavily on parents. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made a strong appeal to parents across Pakistan. He urged them to allow health workers to vaccinate their children and protect them from the dangers of polio.

“I request all parents to help us in this campaign by giving polio drops to their children to safeguard their future,” said PM Shehbaz.

Health officials have also stressed the importance of completing the full vaccination schedule. Parents are encouraged to ensure their children receive all required doses to provide complete protection against the virus.

How Are Frontline Workers Supporting the Campaign?

Frontline health workers play a critical role in the fight against polio. These workers, often referred to as “polio heroes,” face many challenges. They must work in harsh weather, enter high-risk areas, and face threats from those who distrust the vaccination process.

What Makes Frontline Workers Important?

• Door-to-Door Visits: Health workers visit homes in remote areas to ensure every child is vaccinated.\n
• Community Engagement: They educate parents about the importance of vaccination.\n
• Bravery and Dedication: Despite risks and difficult conditions, health workers continue to serve the nation.\n
• Safety Precautions: Workers follow strict safety measures while administering vaccines.\n

The Government of Pakistan has repeatedly acknowledged the sacrifices and efforts of frontline workers, calling them the “real heroes” of the polio eradication movement.

Special Campaign in Balochistan

Balochistan has been identified as the most vulnerable province in terms of polio cases. This year, 26 of Pakistan’s 63 polio cases were reported from Balochistan. As a result, a focused vaccination drive has been launched in the province.

The goal is to vaccinate 2.66 million children in areas like Chaman, Dera Bugti, Qila Abdullah, Quetta, and other high-risk districts. Health officials have emphasized the importance of community participation to ensure the campaign’s success.

Government’s Message to the Public

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with health officials and international partners, has made a clear call to action for all parents, communities, and civil society. They stress that polio eradication is a shared responsibility.

“Our frontline workers are the real heroes in the ongoing struggle against polio,” said Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication.

Health officials have urged community leaders, teachers, and religious scholars to support the polio drive. Their role in raising awareness and encouraging parents to vaccinate their children is vital for the success of the campaign.Call to Action for Parents and Communities

The message from health officials and the government is clear — parents must ensure their children receive polio drops during this campaign. Here’s why parents’ support is essential:\n

• Polio can cause lifelong paralysis.\n
• Vaccination is free, safe, and effective.\n
• The polio drive only lasts one week, so quick action is needed.\n
• Missed children may remain at risk of infection.\n

If any child misses the polio drops, parents are advised to contact their local health authorities or district administration. The goal is to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated.

Pakistan’s final polio drive of 2024 is a critical step in the fight to eradicate polio from the country. With support from the government, health workers, parents, and communities, the campaign aims to protect over 44 million children from this life-threatening disease. The campaign will run from December 16 to December 22, 2024, covering 143 districts.

The government’s message is simple: “Don’t miss this chance to protect your child from polio.”

The world is watching as Pakistan moves closer to becoming polio-free. With commitment, cooperation, and collective action, this goal is within reach. Parents, communities, and health workers must all play their part to ensure a brighter, polio-free future for Pakistan’s children.

Ali Hassan

Ali Hassan, a trusted expert with 5 years of experience, delivers reliable insights across diverse topics like news, jobs, education and trends on biseworld.com, ensuring authentic information with excellence.