VACCINE HESITNCY AS A BARRIER TO POLIO ERADICATION IN PAKISTAN: A SCOPING REVIEW
Keywords:
Polio eradication, vaccine hesitancy, Pakistan, immunization barriers, public health, WPV1Abstract
Background: Polio remains endemic in Pakistan despite sustained eradication efforts. Continued transmission of Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1), with 74 reported cases in 2024 and 31 cases in 2025, highlights persistent challenges. Vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a key barrier to eradication.
Methods: This scoping review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search was conducted in April 2026 across PubMed, Google Scholar, and selected grey literature sources, including GPEI and NEOC reports. Studies published between 2016 and 2025 focusing on vaccine hesitancy and polio immunization in Pakistan were included. A total of 44 sources were analyzed using thematic synthesis.
Results: Vaccine hesitancy is influenced by sociocultural beliefs, religious misconceptions, misinformation, and mistrust in government and health systems. Additional barriers include fear of infertility, low awareness, security concerns, and the spread of misinformation through community and digital platforms.
Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy remains a critical barrier to polio eradication in Pakistan. Addressing this challenge requires integrated strategies focusing on community engagement, trust-building, and strengthening of health systems.
