Pakistan’s battle against polio took a violent turn in Lahore this week as enraged parents launched attacks on vaccination teams, preventing children from receiving crucial drops. The Tuesday incidents in Harbanspura and Shahdara expose deep-seated mistrust and safety concerns plaguing the national immunization program.
According to police FIRs covered by Dawn, the Harbanspura team was first blocked from administering vaccines. Suspects then physically assaulted the workers and called in accomplices for further intimidation. Police arrived post-helpline call, only to face stones and fury from the crowd, resulting in legal action.
In Shahdara, a woman health worker endured similar aggression from parents unwilling to vaccinate their kids. This pattern of violence is all too familiar in high-risk provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where polio staff have lost lives to extremists.
Despite vaccinating 44.3 million children nationwide, the campaign missed 2% of the target—hundreds of thousands in absolute terms. The inaugural 2026 drive saw 10 lakh refusals and 53,000 outright misses, with Karachi achieving the highest uptake at 58%. Officials point to security lapses, boycotts, and harsh weather isolating 233,000 kids, including 184,000 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 50,000 in disputed northern areas.
As wild poliovirus lingers in Pakistan and Afghanistan, these assaults threaten decades of progress. Strengthening security, countering myths, and fostering dialogue are imperative to bridge gaps and eradicate the virus once and for all.