RAWALPINDI: This is with reference to Dr Elias Durry’s article “Towards polio eradication” (January 25). He has written a very scientific and informative article. One has to see a child suffering from polio to realise the lifelong catastrophe, not only for the child but also for the family. As there is no rose without a thorn so there is no therapeutic remedy without side-effects. Even vitamins that are essential for life may produce side-effects. In therapeutics, one has to weigh the benefits against the risks.
The oral polio vaccine has enormous benefits compared with the risks involved and is also highly cost-effective. There should be no therapeutic nihilism. In fact, immunisation has saved humanity from a lethal disease.
Dr Sabah AK Akhtar
Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 2013.
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