25 of 43 polio-affected children received no vaccination

ISLAMABAD: Of the 43 children affected by poliovirus in Pakistan this year, 25 had never received any dose of Routine Immunization (RI), while four were only partially vaccinated, leading to the death of four children and leaving others permanently disabled, it emerged on Thursday.

Balochistan reported the highest number of zero-dose cases, where 17 of the 22 polio-affected children had not received a single RI dose. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, four out of the seven polio-affected children were zero-dose cases. In Sindh, three children were zero-dose, while Islamabad’s sole polio case also involved a zero-dose child.

Beyond these zero-dose cases, officials from the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination (NHS,R&C) cited factors like fake finger-marking by vaccinators, parental refusals, and security issues that prevent vaccinators from reaching children in certain areas. These issues have contributed to the current polio outbreak, they noted.

“One major reason behind the current polio outbreak is the presence of zero-dose children in Pakistan. Following the detection of 43 cases this year, it was found that 25 children had not received a single dose of any vaccine, and four were only partially vaccinated,” a health ministry official stated anonymously. He said inadequate RI coverage was also resulting in outbreaks of other preventable diseases, such as diphtheria, leading to severe cases and deaths across Pakistan.

With RI being a provincial responsibility, it has emerged that fake data of immunized children is often submitted to provincial health departments and federal authorities by provincial EPI managers. This failure to vaccinate children against preventable diseases is driving infectious disease outbreaks across the country.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of this situation, urging chief ministers to improve Routine Immunization in their provinces. Without strengthening RI, polio and other preventable diseases cannot be controlled,” emphasized the official. He highlighted issues like fake finger-marking and inaccurate reports of absent or missing children by polio vaccinators and their supervisors.

Thousands of children missed Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) drops, but polio program staff often failed to report these omissions, resulting in an immunity gap and the spread of poliovirus nationwide. “We have started strict action against those involved in fake finger-marking and neglecting their duties. Such practices are intolerable, and offenders will not only lose their jobs but also face criminal charges,” the official warned.

Refusal from parents to vaccinate their children, especially in Karachi, Hyderabad, and some other areas, is another challenge. The ministry is developing an improved communication strategy to reduce vaccine hesitancy in these communities.

“Another issue is security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in South KP, where vaccination drives have been hindered by violence, including attacks on security personnel during campaigns. We are working on these issues to reach children in these high-risk areas,” the official added.

Federal Secretary of Health Nadeem Mahbub rushed to KP on directives from the PM, where he reviewed the province’s polio campaign. His visit, prompted by seven new polio cases, including two in Kohat, was joined by KP’s Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Akhtar Hayat Khan.

It emerged that five of these cases involved zero-dose children, while KP health officials claimed that several polio cases in the province were reportedly linked to injection neuritis, which was challenged by national polio program and federal health ministry officials.

During a meeting, it was decided that that every polio case undergo serological testing to confirm vaccination status and ensure proper finger-marking practices. Reaffirming a zero-tolerance policy on fake finger-marking, the meeting emphasized accountability and firm measures against any violations. This oversight visit reflects the commitment of federal and provincial leaders to eradicate polio in KP by enhancing human resources, setting realistic goals, and fostering inter-agency cooperation steps critical to addressing challenges in priority areas like Kohat.