Analysis
On February 14, Pakistan’s National Institute of Health confirmed the detection of wild poliovirus in eight districts: five in Balochistan province and three in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The samples were collected between January 15-24. However, reports of the samples were overshadowed by a video clip spreading across social media of a child refusing polio drops and telling polio workers to “respect the name of Allah and leave here.” The video has been viewed thousands of times, with most responses expressing amusement. One post claims that the child “needed something from the Quran” to send polio workers away.
Recommendations
Some people oppose polio vaccines on moral or religious grounds. Organizations may wish to partner with trusted faith leaders to explain that all major religions support vaccines to protect children from deadly diseases. Talking points may emphasize that the polio vaccine is the only way to protect children from polio.