The government has launched its final polio vaccination campaign for the year 2025. Polio remains a formidable challenge for the country, but the latest statistics suggest some improvement. With 30 reported cases so far this year, down from 74 in 2024, there is some progress. This proves that a successful vaccination campaign can help health authorities eradicate the polio virus completely. But this moment should act as a catalyst for future campaigns and not give a wrong sense of accomplishment to the authorities. The government still has to address the structural problems the country faces. Insecurity in parts of the country, vaccine hesitancy and gaps in routine immunisation can undo the months of work and progress made. The upcoming campaign, scheduled from December 15 (today) to December 21 will target more than 45 million children. Over 400,000 polio workers will go door to door.
In recent months, the government has adopted a slightly different approach. It has been rather strict with families that outright refuse to get their children vaccinated. In several cases, the police took action against people who tried to intimidate polio health workers. However, there is still work to be done to ensure that this pace is not disrupted. The fact that 200,000 children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain unvaccinated due to law-and-order concerns raises alarm bells. Our drive against polio will remain unsuccessful unless we ensure that no communities are left outside the safety net. In this regard, our frontline workers have shown exceptional bravery and demonstrated dedication in dangerous conditions. We still need a coherent strategy to tackle security issues as well. Our children are not responsible for unrest in their region, and it is solely on the government to ensure that these kids are safe against health threats.
The challenges are not limited to areas where insurgency is at its peak. Environmental samples collected from urban cities, including Peshawar, Karachi and Lahore, continue to turn positive for the virus. Weak routine immunisation, rapid urbanisation and population movement have turned cities into a breeding ground for the virus. The government has rightly called on parents, religious scholars and elected representatives to play their part. Without public trust, the polio drive will struggle to meet its goals. There has to be a coherent strategy against misinformation. The latest data shows that the vaccine is effective. Eradicating polio from Pakistan is the greatest gift that we can give to our children. The authorities have shown the resolve to put an end to this deadly virus. It is hoped that there are no sudden halts in the eradication programme.
