Polio Eradication Initiative - Pakistan

This was presented at the June 2004 UNICEF meeting dedicated to examining communication in the context of the final push to eradicate polio. The presentation provides an overview of the epidemiological history, current trends and risk factors in Pakistan - providing a context for the communication strategies adopted as detailed in the subsequent presentation.

The Polio Eradication Initiative in Pakistan commenced in 1994 and the Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance system was initiated in 1997. From 2000 to 2003, the eradication programme was expanded, including an increase in personnel and the number of rounds, as well as the adoption of a door-to-door strategy. Of the 103 cases reported in 2003, specific risk factors are identified, as are defining characteristics of the high-risk populations/districts. In order to achieve the desired goal of eradicating polio by December 31 2004, 3 national immunisation days (NIDs) and one sub-national immunisation day (SNID) are planned from June to October 2004, with an additional mop-up campaign in November/December.

Click here to download the full presentation as a PDF file.