In a striking moment of awareness during Pakistan’s national polio vaccination campaign, a father in Skardu who initially refused to let his five-year-old son receive the drops changed his mind after witnessing a powerful gesture. The Assistant Commissioner (AC) not only convinced him through dialogue but also took the vaccine himself, setting an example that quickly turned hesitation into trust.
A Change of Heart in Skardu
The incident took place during an ongoing district-wide immunization drive. Health workers had been going door to door to vaccinate thousands of children under five. When one father in Skardu refused to vaccinate his son, citing doubts about the vaccine’s safety, the Assistant Commissioner decided to step in personally.
Rather than enforcing the rule, the AC chose persuasion. To demonstrate complete confidence in the vaccine, he took the polio drops in front of the man. The symbolic act broke through the wall of skepticism. The father followed suit, taking the vaccine alongside his child. He later admitted his refusal was a mistake and urged others not to repeat it.
This small yet powerful act of leadership quickly spread through the community, becoming an example of how trust, not force, can win the fight against misinformation.
Strong Community Support for Polio Drive
According to the District Health Officer (DHO) Skardu, the vaccination campaign has so far immunized around 38,000 children. Health officials credited this success to strong community participation and effective coordination among field workers.
Teams of vaccinators, supervisors, and volunteers have been working tirelessly across Skardu and neighboring districts. Their mission is not only to deliver vaccines but also to restore faith in science and public health. The DHO noted that while isolated refusals still occur, incidents like the one in Skardu show the power of community-led persuasion.
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Building Trust Through Leadership
The AC’s decision to personally take the polio drops carried deeper significance. It highlighted how leadership by example can transform attitudes. In a society where vaccine skepticism often stems from myths and misinformation, visible actions by public officials help bridge the trust gap.
Health officers explained that the move was not just about one child’s protection — it was about sending a clear message. The polio vaccine is safe, effective, and essential to Pakistan’s future. By participating himself, the AC reassured parents that the vaccine poses no harm, only protection.
This gesture underscores a critical aspect of the anti-polio campaign: combating misinformation requires both empathy and visibility. Officials say that when parents see trusted figures supporting vaccination, hesitation often turns into acceptance.
A Nationwide Effort to Eradicate Polio
Pakistan’s latest anti-polio drive, running from October 13 to 19, is one of the most extensive in recent years. Over 400,000 health workers are part of this massive operation, conducting door-to-door visits to reach even the most remote communities.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has urged parents nationwide to ensure their children under five receive both the polio drops and routine immunizations. Health authorities have intensified awareness campaigns on social media, radio, and local gatherings to counter false claims and reassure communities of the vaccine’s safety.
Officials stress that every single vaccination counts. Even one unvaccinated child can become a source of infection, threatening years of progress.
The Ongoing Battle Against Polio
Pakistan remains one of only two countries in the world where polio is still endemic — the other being Afghanistan. Despite significant progress in the past decade, new outbreaks have reignited concern among global health organizations.
So far in 2025, Pakistan has reported 29 polio cases. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leads with 18 cases, followed by Sindh with nine, and one case each in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. These numbers show improvement from 2024, when the country recorded 74 cases, but they also underscore that the fight is far from over.
Health experts warn that the virus can resurface quickly if vaccination coverage drops. Therefore, every campaign — and every parent’s cooperation — matters immensely.
Why Polio Vaccination Matters
Polio is a viral disease that primarily affects young children, often leading to permanent paralysis or even death. Once common worldwide, it has been nearly eradicated thanks to decades of vaccination efforts. However, gaps in immunization coverage allow the virus to persist in certain regions.
Medical experts emphasize that the oral polio vaccine provides strong immunity, protecting not only vaccinated children but also their communities. The more children receive the drops, the closer Pakistan gets to eradicating the disease once and for all.
For many health workers, the Skardu father’s change of heart symbolizes hope. It shows that education, empathy, and leadership can defeat fear and misinformation more effectively than enforcement.
A Step Toward a Healthier Future
The Skardu incident has become a bright spot in Pakistan’s ongoing struggle against polio. It reminds everyone that the battle against this disease is not just scientific — it’s social. Winning it requires not only vaccines but also compassion, patience, and trust.
As the campaign continues, health officials urge all parents to follow the example set by that father and the Assistant Commissioner. Every drop counts, and every act of trust brings Pakistan one step closer to a future free of polio.
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