Analysis
Health officials in Pakistan reportedly plan to launch a special IPV campaign targeting children up to age 15 in Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar. A social media user who identifies himself as a doctor responded to the decision by claiming that Pakistani children receive polio vaccines from the same people who give Israel weapons “to rain down on Gaza’s innocent children.” The post also suggests that Pakistan should test polio vaccines to “verify” their ingredients. Several responses to the post argue that no lab would be allowed to test polio vaccines. Some posts claim that vaccines are “poison” that cause autism and ADHD, while others suggest that polio campaigns are sinister, stating that “something black is in the dal (lentils).” One user claimed to be a doctor who is “against” vaccines.
Recommendations
Pakistan decided to expand polio vaccination after reporting its 14th polio case this year. Suggestions that polio vaccines are dangerous or untested may make parents hesitant to vaccinate their children. Health communicators may emphasize that all polio vaccines are tested for safety before they are authorized and approved. Additionally, every batch of vaccines is tested to ensure they are free of contamination, and countries only register and distribute vaccines that meet strict quality and safety standards. Messaging may explain that the ingredient lists for polio vaccines are publicly available and that children are at great risk of death and disability from polio, not from immunization.