Those refusing polio vaccination take drops during Haj, Umrah: Kamal

Islamabad: “Those who turn polio vaccination into a religious issue are the same people who line up for drops during Haj and Umrah,” said Federal Health Minister Dr. Mustafa Kamal on Wednesday, as he strongly criticised the persistent misinformation and resistance undermining Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts.

Speaking at a ceremony where 31 refrigerated vaccine transport trucks were handed over by UNICEF to the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI), the minister emphasized the importance of awareness, empathy, and community engagement to eliminate the crippling disease once and for all. Expressing serious concern over increasing refusals to polio vaccination, especially in conservative and rural areas, Kamal said religious misconceptions and rumours continue to pose major hurdles in the fight against polio. “Vaccine denial is a form of ignorance and apathy,” he said. “Parents who refuse to vaccinate their children are putting their futures at risk.” Rejecting punitive measures against vaccine refusers, the minister said, “We must not treat them with force. I have directed that no FIRs will be lodged against them. Instead, we must educate them. Engage their elders, relatives, and local religious leaders. This is not just a health issue—it is a societal issue that demands collective responsibility.” The 31 refrigerated trucks, provided by UNICEF with the support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, are intended to ensure safe and efficient vaccine delivery to remote and underserved regions, including Gilgit-Baltistan and tribal areas. Kamal announced that five trucks have been allocated to each province, helping maintain the vaccine cold chain from central storage to the last mile. He lauded the handover as a critical step toward achieving universal immunisation in Pakistan, calling the vehicles “lifelines that will protect millions of children from deadly but preventable diseases.” Highlighting the urgency of the national anti-polio campaign, the health minister said more than 450,000 frontline workers are currently engaged in the nationwide drive that began on April 21 under the supervision of PM Shehbaz Sharif. For the first time, he noted, Pakistan and Afghanistan are conducting synchronised polio vaccination campaigns - an unprecedented milestone in cross-border health cooperation.