About this Research Topic
Despite making considerable progress toward the eradication of polio, continued endemic transmission of WPV in Pakistan poses a significant challenge to the eradication of the disease globally. While the intensity of virus transmission has attenuated in recent years, and the genetic diversity of viruses has narrowed to just two indigenous clusters, WPV continues to circulate in several provinces of the country, especially in areas plagued by conflict and insecurity. Hundreds of thousands of eligible children in these areas are repeatedly missed during polio vaccination activities. Further, in some areas, the lack of healthcare infrastructure makes access to essential immunization services very challenging. Addressing these challenges would require not only the concerted efforts of the country's national polio program and its dedicated frontline workers but also the adoption of a variety of innovative approaches to overcome barriers to access for implementation of polio vaccination activities.
This collection of research articles will cover a broad range of articles relevant to polio eradication activities in Pakistan. The topics in this collection will include but are not limited to the following:
- History and current status of polio eradication activities in Pakistan, including updates from key provinces and regions
- Epidemiology of polio cases and trends in poliovirus transmission in Pakistan
- Surveillance for poliovirus circulation through both the AFP and environmental surveillance systems
- Outbreak detection and response activities for vaccine-derived polioviruses
- Laboratory testing and genomic sequencing of circulating polioviruses, including molecular characterization of genetic clusters of viruses in Pakistan
- Planning, implementation, and monitoring of polio supplementary immunization activities
- Routine immunization service delivery in the context of polio eradication in Pakistan
- Synergy of the Polio Eradication Initiative and Expanded Programme on Immunization in Pakistan
- Integrated service delivery through partnerships with international humanitarian and community-based organizations
- Advanced analytics and modeling of poliovirus transmission patterns in Pakistan
- Global and regional polio eradication initiatives with applicable lessons and relevant implications for the Pakistan polio program
Keywords: Polio, Pakistan, Polio Eradication, Vaccination, Immunization, Disease Surveillance
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