Pakistan's Polio Programme Faces Significant Challenges Amid Increased Cases and Missed Vaccinations

Strategic Insights -

Pakistan's Polio Programme is facing significant challenges, with over 4 million planned vaccinations missed during immunisation campaigns across the country in 2024. The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has revealed that these gaps in coverage reflect the scope of challenges facing the programme. Despite efforts to improve campaign quality, Pakistan has reported 24 new polio cases, with infections emerging from all four provinces and Islamabad. The situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan remains dire, with large numbers of unvaccinated children contributing to the continued circulation of poliovirus in the country.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 4 million planned vaccinations were missed during immunisation campaigns across Pakistan in 2024, highlighting significant gaps in coverage.
  • Pakistan reported 24 new polio cases in 2024, with infections emerging from all four provinces and Islamabad.
  • The situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan remains dire, with large numbers of unvaccinated children contributing to the continued circulation of poliovirus.
  • In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 423,000 children were missed during each full campaign.
  • The number of zero-dose or unvaccinated children remains alarmingly high in Karachi East.
  • Insecurity and poor healthcare access in Balochistan's Quetta Block, particularly in districts like Killa Abdullah and Chaman, contribute to the large number of unvaccinated children.
  • The IMB identified systemic weaknesses in Pakistan's Polio Programme, including pressure on health teams to meet vaccination targets leading to unethical practices.
  • The IMB report emphasized the need for stronger supportive supervision and more preventive vaccination campaigns to address high rates of missed children.
  • Pakistan's new leadership has presented a comprehensive "2-4-6 roadmap" to revitalise the Polio Programme, which offers hope to reverse the current trend and edge closer to polio eradication goals.

Statistics:

  • Over 4 million planned vaccinations were missed during immunisation campaigns across Pakistan in 2024.
  • Pakistan reported 24 new polio cases in 2024.
  • In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 423,000 children were missed during each full campaign.
  • The number of zero-dose or unvaccinated children remains alarmingly high in Karachi East, with [no specific number provided].
  • In Balochistan's Quetta Block, particularly in districts like Killa Abdullah and Chaman, [no specific number of unvaccinated children provided].
  • The IMB has identified 19 new polio cases in Afghanistan, further complicating regional eradication efforts.

Sources:

  • Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)
  • Pakistan's Polio Programme
  • The IMB report, dated [no specific date provided]
  • Anwar-ul-Haq, National Coordinator for Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) in Islamabad