Polio protection

Pakistan's struggle against polio is being undermined not only by the persistence of the virus but also by the violence directed at those working to eradicate it. Two policemen were recently killed and another injured in an attack on personnel assigned to polio vaccination duty in K-P's Mohmand district. Such attacks threaten the lives of frontline workers and jeopardise efforts to protect children from a disease that much of the world has already eliminated. Compounding the problem are the myths and misconceptions surrounding polio vaccination, which continue to fuel mistrust and vaccine refusals. False claims about infertility and the safety of vaccines have prevented many parents from immunising their children, leaving them vulnerable to a preventable disease. The government must counter these misconceptions through sustained awareness campaigns involving religious scholars, community leaders and healthcare professionals to educate the public and build confidence in vaccination. However, the government has a major responsibility to ensure that vaccination workers and the police personnel protecting them are not left vulnerable to armed attacks. Personnel operating in high-risk districts should be provided with appropriate protective equipment, including ballistic vests and helmets where the threat assessment warrants them to. The authorities must also investigate attacks promptly and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Eradicating polio requires a sustained commitment to public trust and the safety of those carrying out vaccination campaigns. The government must recognise that misinformation and insecurity are serious obstacles to immunisation, and both demand a coordinated response. Vaccination teams cannot be expected to fulfil their responsibilities while risking their lives, nor can Pakistan afford to allow preventable infections to continue because parents remain misinformed. Protecting frontline workers and educating communities must become central to the country's eradication strategy.