CHILDHOOD IMMUNISATION

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/05/05/childhood-immunisation/

As medical knowledge currently stands, it is clear that immunisation protects the immunised person, and society, from the spread of infectious diseases. Immunisation is, therefore, beneficial and important. One of the greatest disservices done to Pakistan was by the man Shakil Afridi who called himself a doctor yet conducted a fake hepatitis vaccine programme in Abbottabad in collusion with the CIA, the aim of which was to flush out Osama bin Laden then in hiding in that area. Afridi gave credence to the anti-vaxxers’ suspicion of vaccinations, by associating immunisation campaigns with what is vaguely and ominously termed ‘foreign agendas’, or attempts by outside forces to manipulate snd harm the people of this country. As always, when there is anything important at stake involved, our ultra-religious brethren used this fear and they stand solidly against vaccinations and vaccinators. They are responsible for the illness and suffering of countless children and their families, and the death of many vaccinators doing their job.

Educators should also make sure that students know how dangerous childhood diseases can be. This should be taught to science and humanities students alike, since the children of today are the parents of tomorrow and will one day have to decide whether or not to vaccinate their child

As a result, during the course of the most recent polio campaign, after a violent mob burnt down a government health facility, and a polio vaccinator died – the latest of many in the past, the federal government suspended the campaign, at least for the present.

Polio is still to be routinely found in Pakistan (as well as in Afghanistan and Nigeria). The matter cannot be ignored. So, what is to be done?

One could make vaccinations mandatory and protect the vaccinators by more stringent means, such as calling in the army to provide the protection. Or one could educate and persuade the anti-vaxxers to change their minds.

Mandates and bans have never proven to be the solution. To quote a passage from a Harry Potter novel, when the headmistress banned the students from reading Harry’s interview, Hermione says: “Don’t you see? If she could have done one thing to make absolutely sure that every single person in the school will read your interview, it was banning it!” And she was right. By the end of the day, although the printed copy of the interview was nowhere to be seen, every single student was quoting it.

Mandates set people’s backs up, create a following for the thing being forbidden– just because, and generate further violence. Ten protestors dying following riots and ten children of disease, the result is the same.

Mandatory vaccination was first attempted in the UK in the 19th century but was later abandoned. In today’s world, when people are considerably more resistant to anything smacking of State intrusion, even in Pakistan, it would not have been a popular move.

In France, up until last year just 70 percent of the population was vaccinated.  Early in 2018, 11 childhood vaccines have been made compulsory. The penalty for infringement is that the unvaccinated child is barred from creche, nursery, school or summer camp, public or private. The move would not have a leg to stand on in Pakistan, where the bulk of children do not attend nursery, school or summer camp, public or private. In France, there is also the threat of fine and imprisonment, but that was theoretical, and the French government was expected to increase monitoring last year. The exceptions were for children whose parents could produce a written medical exemption. In Pakistan where every medical form can be obtained for a price, this is not a solution either.

The only remaining option appears to be awareness by means of campaigns and education. It generally boils down to that. It is a long-term measure but really, the only one. The government might give a mind to if it has any to spare after its petty brawls.

There is an obvious difference in the two segments of society: the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. Children who have had MMR and polio vaccinations for example do not get Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Polio. Those who have not been vaccinated, do.  This is one gap that can be bridged without a large financial outlay. Creative, well designed campaigns to highlight this fact and bring it to people’s conscious notice can be conducted, routinely, exhaustively.

Vaccinations should come with incentives. Health centres should BE very well protected, and should possess a pleasant environment for children and attractive facilities for parents of vaccinated children only, such as a meeting place with the occasional screening of free movies, free teas, and so on.

Schools much teach how disease occurs, show students bacteria under microscopes, and provide information on these bacteria can be destroyed. At present, science students in government colleges are quite unfamiliar with microscopes, and some have never even seen a magnifying glass. Educators should also make sure that students know how dangerous childhood diseases can be. This should be taught to science and humanities students alike, since the children of today are the parents of tomorrow and will one day have to decide whether or not to vaccinate their child.