Following the near-eradication of wild poliovirus thanks to mass vaccination campaigns, Pakistan faces a resurgence of polio cases. In 2023, only six cases remained, but 2024 has seen 73 reported instances. The situation is compounded by the Taliban's restrictive policies in Afghanistan, impacting vaccination efforts led by external health groups. Reasons for the resurgence include vaccine hesitancy, dire local sanitation, and the inability of female health workers to participate in immunization programs, leading to the virus's spread into Pakistan from Afghanistan.
We've snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. It has spread to all districts of Pakistan. The genetic strains of wild poliovirus in Pakistan are all from Afghanistan.
Public health officials say 'vaccine hesitancy,' poor sanitary conditions, and regional insecurity have all sabotaged vaccination efforts. This has severely impacted eradication strategies.
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