Developing a three-dimensional narrative to counter polio vaccine refusal in Charsadda

Polio eradication is a public health challenge. With a sharp rise in polio cases in 2014, Pakistan’s situation was declared as “public health emergency of international concern” by the International Health Regulations and Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO). The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is faced with numerous challenges in Pakistan, including illiteracy, misinformation, medical misconceptions and a weak health care system. In the Pashtun belt of Pakistan, district Charsadda serves as an active hub of nationalist politics and religious ideologies. Charsadda has seen violence against polio vaccinators, and the government is taking punitive actions to vaccinate children. The district has an ongoing Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) and the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI). The PEI is facing persistent vaccine refusals. Around 2000 vaccine refusals are reported with every National Immunization Day (NID) from the area. Evidence suggests that a counter-narrative for vaccine refusals, considering local experiences and concerns, should be adopted. To inform such a counter-narrative, the current study was conducted at Charsadda, to explore the cultural, religious, and ethnic underpinnings of vaccine refusals and suggest reformative actions.

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Khan, S. A., M. Ashfaq, A. Ayub, A. Jamil, ASM Shahabuddin, F. Khalid, J. Badshah, I. Ullah (2021) Developing a three-dimensional narrative to counter polio vaccine refusal in Charsadda. Journal of Global Health 10(2).