- Sindh Governor approves bill penalizing parents who refuse child vaccinations.
- Law empowers officials to impose fines and jail time for vaccine refusal.
- Alarming stats reveal over 62,000 parents rejected polio vaccination during a recent campaign.
In a significant move, Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has endorsed the Sindh Immunization and Epidemics Control Bill 2023, introducing stringent measures against parents who decline vaccinations for their children. The legislation empowers designated deputy commissioners (DCs) to enforce penalties as outlined in Section (1). Those found guilty of such refusal could face a one-month imprisonment along with a fine amounting to PKR 50,000.
The urgency behind this legislation stems from concerning statistics reported in February. During the nationwide polio vaccination campaign held from January 2 to 29, an alarming figure of over 62,000 parents chose not to have their children vaccinated. This campaign was divided into three phases and aimed to combat the transmission of polio.
Particularly worrisome was the revelation that a significant number of these refusals originated from Sindh province, based on sources familiar with the matter. Polio, a highly infectious and incapacitating disease, is typically transmitted through contaminated food and water. Once it infiltrates the nervous system, the illness can lead to complete paralysis within a short span of time.
It is noteworthy that the polio virus has maintained its stronghold in the border region shared between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The fight against polio has been hindered by militant attacks targeting the teams involved in administering the vaccine. This hostile environment has even resulted in casualties among the anti-polio teams.
The newly enacted law reflects a determined effort by Sindh authorities to curb the parents refusing vaccinations for their children. By imposing fines and potential imprisonment, the government aims to ensure a higher level of immunization coverage, ultimately working towards the eradication of preventable diseases like polio.
This legislative step not only highlights the significance of vaccination in safeguarding public health. Also underscores the government’s commitment to tackling health challenges effectively. The hope is that through these measures, the vaccination rates will improve, reducing the vulnerability of children to debilitating diseases and contributing to the overall well-being of the community.