Poliomyelitis, or polio, is a disease that can be prevented with the polio vaccine. The primary target of the highly contagious viral illness polio is young children. It can cause paralysis or even death and is spread by tainted food and drink.
Types of Polio Vaccines
The inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and the oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) are the two main forms of polio vaccination.
Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV)
The three different poliovirus types are represented in the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), which is made up of slain poliovirus strains (1, 2, and 3). It is administered via muscle injection. IPV has few negative effects and is both safe and effective. It doesn’t result in polio.
Oral Poliovirus Vaccine (OPV)
Live but attenuated poliovirus strains are present in the oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). It is administered orally, typically as tongue drops. Since OPV is simpler to use than IPV, it has been utilised in many countries and is effective in preventing polio. Nonetheless, in extremely rare instances, OPV can result in vaccine-associated paralytic polio (VAPP), a disorder in which a vaccine’s weakened virus mutates to produce paralysis. Because of this, a lot of nations have moved to utilising IPV just or IPV plus OPV (also known as bivalent OPV or sequential IPV/OPV).
Global Efforts in Polio Eradication
One of the most important instruments in the global campaign to eradicate polio has been the vaccination. The incidence of polio has significantly decreased since the immunisation’s debut in the 1950s and subsequent mass vaccination programmes. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is still using vaccination campaigns and surveillance initiatives to try to eradicate polio worldwide as of my most recent update.
Polio in Pakistan
Current Situation
Pakistan is one of the few nations where polio is still endemic as of 2022, which means that the wild poliovirus is still in circulation. Over time, Pakistan has seen fluctuations in the number of cases of polio. For instance, Pakistan recorded 147 instances of wild poliovirus in 2019, a considerable drop from the previous year. As of my most recent update, there was a minor increase in instances in 2020 and 2021, with 84 cases recorded in 2020 and 23 cases in 2021. These figures show how difficult it is still to eradicate polio in Pakistan and how important it is to keep up the vaccination campaign for all children as well as to improve surveillance and response capabilities.
Countries Using Polio Vaccine
The polio vaccine is still administered as part of regular immunisation programmes in many nations worldwide. The following nations still utilise the polio vaccine:
- Afghanistan
- Pakistan
- Nigeria
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Somalia
- Kenya
- Mozambique
- Niger
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
The majority of wild poliovirus transmission still occurs in these nations, hence immunisation campaigns are essential to the global eradication of the illness.
Reasons for Polio Persistence in Pakistan
The persistence of polio in Pakistan is caused by a number of intricate factors:
Problems in Vaccinating Every Kid
Pakistan has a sizable population, making it difficult to vaccinate every child, particularly in isolated and conflict-affected areas.
Security Issues
The nation has had security issues, such as assaults on polio workers, which have impeded immunisation campaigns and attempts to reach high-risk groups.
Misconceptions and Vaccine Hesitation
In certain areas, vaccine hesitancy has been brought on by false information and misconceptions regarding the polio vaccine, which has decreased the overall efficacy of immunisation efforts.
Weak Health Infrastructure
The provision of vaccinations and other medical treatments may be hampered by Pakistan’s health infrastructure’s resource, logistical, and managerial shortcomings.
Cross-Border Transmission
The virus continues to spread between the two nations due to their porous borders with Afghanistan, a country where polio is also widespread.
Unawareness of Polio Vaccine in Pakistan
It’s possible that ignorance of the polio vaccine contributes to the virus’s continued spread in Pakistan. There are various elements that may be involved in this ignorance:
Misinformation
Inaccurate information regarding the vaccine’s efficacy, safety, and causes can engender scepticism and misconceptions in some populations.
Low Levels of Education
People may not be fully aware of the dangers of polio and the significance of vaccination in communities with low literacy rates.
Lack of Access to Healthcare
It may be difficult to find reliable information regarding vaccinations, particularly the polio vaccine, in rural or underdeveloped areas.
Cultural Practices and Beliefs
Certain cultural practices and beliefs may have an impact on attitudes towards vaccination, causing reluctance or refusal.
Treatment or Solution of Polio Vaccine in Pakistan
Vaccination efforts are the main means of combating polio in Pakistan. The nation aims to vaccinate every child under five by undertaking several annual statewide polio campaigns. Thousands of medical professionals are mobilised for these campaigns, and they travel door-to-door to give the oral polio vaccination.
Surveillance
Pakistan concentrates on surveillance in addition to immunisation in order to identify and address any new instances of polio. This entails keeping an eye out for occurrences of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), which may indicate polio, as well as testing to determine the poliovirus strain.
Strategies to Address Issues
Pakistan has also put a number of methods into practice to address issues like vaccine reluctance and access. Among them are:
Community Engagement
Involves collaborating closely with local communities to dispel myths about the vaccine and foster confidence in immunisation campaigns.
Political and Religious Support
Getting the backing of religious and political figures to advocate for the value of immunisation and to support polio vaccination programmes.
Better Access
Making sure that immunisations are administered using cutting-edge methods to all children, even those who live in distant or conflict-affected areas.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Analysing the results of immunisation campaigns and monitoring initiatives on a regular basis to pinpoint areas that require improvement.
Notwithstanding these initiatives, obstacles still exist, and Pakistan’s attempts to end polio encounter difficulties. To overcome these obstacles and reach a Pakistan free of polio, sustained dedication, investment, and cooperation are necessary.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are still a number of reasons why polio is a public health concern in Pakistan, such as low health infrastructure, misinformation, security concerns, difficulties in immunising the population, and cross-border transmission. Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio are concentrated on community participation, surveillance, vaccination campaigns, and systematic gap remediation. Notwithstanding the advancements made, obstacles still exist, underscoring the necessity of sustained dedication and cooperation in order to attain a Pakistan devoid of polio.
