Why Are Polio Cases Rising In Pakistan Where A New Vaccination Drive Is Going To Start Soon?

Cases of the polio virus – which causes paralysis or even death – have been rising across Pakistan – especially in southwestern Balochistan, southern Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and eastern Punjab provinces, due to low vaccination numbers as most health workers and police protecting them are targeted and attacked. According to authorities, despite the government’s active vaccination campaigns every year, militants falsely claim that vaccination campaigns are a Western conspiracy to sterilise children. On October 28, a new campaign is being launched.