Father Changes Mind on Polio Vaccine After Officer Leads by Example in Skardu
A man in Skardu who had initially refused to let his five-year-old son receive polio drops changed his mind after witnessing the Assistant Commissioner (AC) take the vaccine himself. The father, moved by the gesture, decided to get vaccinated along with his child. This heartwarming act highlighted the power of example and trust in spreading awareness about health and safety.
Trust Builds Confidence in Vaccination
According to the District Health Officer (DHO) Skardu, the ongoing anti-polio campaign successfully immunized around 38,000 children across the district, thanks to strong community participation. However, in Ghanche district, one resident initially declined vaccination for his son. To resolve the situation, the AC personally visited the family and took the drops first. His action convinced the hesitant father that the vaccine was safe and essential. As a result, the man later admitted it was a mistake to refuse earlier. Officials said such acts of leadership play a vital role in building public trust and ensuring that every child is protected.
Pakistan’s Fight Against Polio
The national polio campaign, running from October 13 to 19, has deployed over 400,000 health workers who are visiting homes to ensure all children under five receive the drops. The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has urged parents to cooperate fully and complete both polio and routine immunizations. Pakistan has so far reported 29 cases in 2025, with most from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, followed by Sindh, Punjab, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The country remains one of only two in the world where polio persists, along with Afghanistan. Despite major progress, recent years have seen a worrying resurgence. Health experts continue to stress that timely vaccination can prevent lifelong paralysis and protect every child’s future.
