Hundreds of Thousands Missed in Pakistan’s Polio Drive

Pakistan’s recent anti-polio campaign fell short of reaching all targeted children, leaving more than 420,000 unvaccinateTd. he vaccination drive took place from September 1 to 7 across 81 districts nationwide. Officials reported nearly 98 percent coverage, but many children still missed the polio drops. This gap shows ongoing challenges in eliminating polio from the country.

Gilgit-Baltistan reported the highest vaccination rate at 101 percent, exceeding its target. Punjab had the lowest coverage at 97 percent. Other regions including Islamabad, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Azad Kashmir all reached about 98 percent coverage. Despite these figures, many children were left unvaccinated, highlighting gaps in campaign reach and access.

Out of the children missed during the campaign, around 355,000 were unavailable when vaccinators visited. In addition, nearly 19,400 children missed vaccinations due to security issues and local boycotts. Officials recorded over 47,700 boycott-related cases nationwide. These challenges pose a threat to polio eradication efforts in Pakistan.

Read More: Sindh to Punish Parents Rejecting Polio Vaccination

Provincially, Sindh had the highest number of unvaccinated children at more than 216,000. Punjab followed with over 82,000, then Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with about 68,500. Balochistan reported over 47,000 missed children. Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan also reported children missing vaccination, though in smaller numbers.

The partial success of the campaign signals a need for stronger measures. Authorities are considering actions like suspending CNICs, passports, and SIM cards for parents refusing vaccination. These steps aim to increase compliance and protect children from polio. The fight against polio in Pakistan continues amid these ongoing challenges.

Read More: PM Shehbaz, Bill Gates Talk Polio and Flood Aid

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Bill Gates during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York. The two leaders discussed key issues affecting Pakistan, including polio eradication, nutrition, and flood relief. PM Shehbaz thanked the Gates Foundation for its long-standing support in these areas. He emphasized the need for continued collaboration to overcome pressing health and humanitarian challenges. The meeting highlighted shared goals and deepening ties between Pakistan and the Gates Foundation.

During the meeting, PM Shehbaz expressed sincere gratitude for the Foundation’s efforts in helping Pakistan fight polio. He noted that polio remains a major public health challenge for the country. The premier praised the Gates Foundation’s commitment to ending this disease. He also acknowledged the Foundation’s support in improving nutrition levels across Pakistan. This support, he said, has helped improve lives in vulnerable communities