Over 11,000 children did not get polio shots

In most cases children were not present at home while in some cases parents refused

HYDERABAD:

Despite the detection of polio virus at two locations in Hyderabad, more than 11,000 children up to the age of five could not be vaccinated during the current polio eradication campaign. The primary cause for this lapse is parents' reluctance to vaccinate their children although the deputy commissioner announced arrest and fine for refusal.

The provincial health authorities initiated the polio eradication campaign for the second consecutive month this month after the detection of polio virus at Jacob Pumping Station in Qasimabad and Main Tulsidas Pumping Station of WASA in Hyderabad.

The report compiled at the end of the seven-day campaign, including the subsequent catch-up days, revealed that over 11,000 children under the age of five could not be administered anti-polio drops despite vaccination teams' efforts.

According to statistics compiled by provincial health department on the 8th day of the campaign, 10,302 children in Hyderabad district could not be vaccinated against the deadly virus. This includes children not found at home or whose houses were locked. Additionally, 1,033 children were from households where parents did not allow the administration of polio drops.

Read: Anti-polio drive launched in Sindh

Data indicates that parents from various areas, including UC 1, 2, and 3 of Cantt, TMC Mian Sarfaraz's UC 20, 21, 31, 35, TMC Neronkot's UC 4, 5, 14, TMC Preetabad's UC 37, 53, 54, TMC Qasimabad's UC 145, 146, TMC Sachal Sarmast's UC 100, TMC Shah Latifabad's UC 107, 108, 113, 115, and UC 124, recorded the highest number of refusals.

In order to ensure the success of the polio eradication campaign, Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad Tariq Qureshi had issued warning to non-cooperative parents for the first time.

The warning letter issued by the DC stated that parents who do not get their children vaccinated may face fines or imprisonment. However, no administrative action has been taken against them.

According to Health Department staff, around 20,000 children were left unvaccinated during the campaign in December last year, including 19,000 children not present at home and about 1,500 children of non-consenting parents.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^th, 2024.