The Facts
On Sunday, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally announced the nation's first nationwide anti-polio campaign. The campaign was slated to begin on Monday and target more than 44M children under the age of five for vaccination against the debilitating illness.
The announcement comes following a surge in infections throughout 2022 that paralyzed 20 children. No new infections have been reported thus far in 2023.
The Spin
Narrative A
As healthcare workers and community organizers fight to eradicate polio, they must also fight for their lives. More than 50 workers have died at the hands of violent religious extremists, who threaten and kill people due to unmerited conspiracy theories regarding vaccines. Since the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011, these conspiracy theories have grown more prominent and dangerous. Extremist violence is a major factor hindering Pakistan's polio eradication efforts.
Narrative B
The government of Pakistan and its contributors recognize that the most vulnerable areas are the areas that are the most difficult to reach due to security, and are doing their best to address this. The people of Pakistan also understand that polio is not the singular concern; other basic services are needed from the government to ensure the well-being of people no matter if they live in rural issues or have migrated. Polio is a consequence of the need for rural development.
