Analysis
An Associated Press investigation into falsified vaccination records, unqualified vaccinators and rare vaccinederived poliovirus outbreaks in Pakistan and Afghanistan has been seized upon to argue that the oral polio vaccine (OPV) “doesn’t work.” Critics cherrypick phrases such as “imperfect vaccine” to suggest that vaccination is futile or dangerous. The AP report actually illustrates programme mismanagement in specific areas; cVDPV occurs only when immunization coverage is too low and the weakened virus circulates long enough to mutate.
Recommendations
Use the report as an opportunity for transparent communication. Explain that health authorities are addressing the documented issues, introducing a safer novel OPV (nOPV2) and reinforcing coldchain and training protocols. Clarify that OPV’s rare risk of cVDPV is far outweighed by its publichealth benefits and that the solution to stopping vaccinederived outbreaks is higher coverage, not refusal. Highlight IPV’s role in eliminating polio without any risk of vaccinederived virus.