Polio eradication: Technical Advisory Group meeting today

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ISLAMABAD: With 73 polio cases reported in Pakistan in 2024, the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on Polio Eradication for Pakistan is meeting in Islamabad today (Tuesday) to review the country’s polio situation. An assessment will be made and actionable recommendations will be made to strengthen eradication efforts. to say

According to officials, the three-day event aims to review the current status of polio, assess progress in eradication efforts and strategize to address challenges including vaccine refusal, surveillance gaps and cross-border coordination with Afghanistan. is The 17th TAG meeting is attended by representatives of global health organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), GAVI, Rotary International and USAID, along with national stakeholders.

According to the Federal Ministry of Health, the agenda of the 17th TAG meeting includes an in-depth review of the status of implementation of the recommendations made during the 16th TAG meeting to be held in Doha, Qatar in May 2024. Participants will review ongoing challenges in polio. Elimination of insecurity, detection of viruses in sewage samples and efforts to increase quality Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs) in high risk areas. Cross-border coordination with Afghanistan, a key element of regional disarmament goals, is also under discussion.

The report of 73 cases of wild poliovirus (WPV1) in Pakistan in 2024 is a major setback in the eradication campaign. TAG members, including representatives from WHO, UNICEF and other international health organizations, are analyzing the emerging political, security and social dynamics affecting the polio programme. Strategies to deal with vaccine refusal and missing children are being prioritized in high-risk areas, particularly southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

During the 16th TAG meeting, several key challenges and recommendations were identified, including conducting high-quality vaccination campaigns in southern KP, identifying missed children and improving campaign quality for vaccination and ensuring effective virus It includes conducting an audit on the Pakistan side of the Northern Cross Border Corridor for construction. Prevention Despite these efforts, the 2024 TAG assessment concluded that it was impossible to prevent all WPV1 transmission by the end of the year. This week’s meeting aims to refine strategies for 2025 to ensure efforts to eradicate the virus continue.

A TAG member disclosed that the first day of the meeting will begin with a regional review of WPV epidemics in Pakistan and Afghanistan, followed by province-specific updates on polio programs. Discussions will include reviews of surveillance systems and vaccination strategies for hard-to-reach populations.

On the second day, the focus will be on social and behavior change communication (SBCC) interventions to address vaccine reluctance in parents. Experts will also discuss the need for coordination between the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) and the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) to maximize vaccination coverage. The final day is devoted to drafting recommendations for the Pakistani government to scale up polio eradication strategies. Proposed measures include addressing missing children, improving the quality of operations and ensuring stronger cross-border coordination with Afghanistan.

Officials stressed that the outcome of the meeting would contribute to the formulation of Pakistan’s polio eradication roadmap by 2025. Key recommendations are expected to focus on accelerating vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas, enhancing surveillance mechanisms and addressing systemic challenges in vaccine delivery.

With the global effort to eradicate polio nearing completion, the 17th TAG meeting is an important opportunity for Pakistan to refine its strategy, address challenges and protect future generations from this debilitating disease.