Polio Pulse

Polio Pulse provides social listening insights to support GPEI’s polio interventions on disinformation, crisis communication, and strategic communication. Data is monitored from polio-endemic and outbreak countries and geographies classified by GPEI, covering 12 major languages spoken in these regions. The platform is managed by the UNICEF Digital Community Engagement (DCE) team.

Low Risk

“Zero tolerance” policy for polio drop refusal draws positive responses online

Geography
Pakistan
Themes
Effectiveness
Religion

Analysis

Shortly after two polio cases were reported in South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a Sindh health official announced a “zero tolerance” policy for skipping polio drops to “ensure that no child in Sindh remains unprotected.” Online reactions to the comments were overwhelmingly positive and supportive, calling the efforts “commendable.” 

Recommendations

Health communicators may partner with trusted messengers, such as religious and community leaders, to explain the importance of polio vaccination. Messaging may stress that polio vaccines are safe and the only way to protect children from polio.