ISLAMABAD : In a major step to eradicate polio from the country, the National Assembly has approved sweeping legislation making polio vaccination mandatory for all children under the age of 10. Under the new law, legal action will be taken against parents or guardians who refuse to vaccinate their children, with strict penalties including fines and the denial of essential government documents.
The newly passed law imposes a tiered fine system for refusal: parents will be fined Rs 50,000 for a first offense, and Rs 100,000 for a second offense. Deliberate refusal of the vaccine by a parent or guardian will result in the non-issuance of a crucial polio vaccination certificate from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). Without this certificate, citizens will face difficulties in various government affairs.
Educational institutions will also play a key role in enforcement, as schools will be required to ask for polio vaccination certificates from all children under 10 years of age.
The legislation also introduces harsh punishments for those who threaten or attack polio workers. Intimidation, threats, or assault on frontline polio workers will be punishable by seven years in prison and a fine. The federal government has pledged to ensure foolproof security arrangements for polio teams operating in dangerous areas.
To support vaccination staff, the federal government will establish a special support fund for frontline polio workers. Additionally, a bill has been passed mandating special measures for the rehabilitation of polio victims.
A five-year national polio eradication strategy will be formulated specifically for Islamabad. Pakistan remains one of only two countries in the world still affected by the wild poliovirus.
In a significant legal shift, only district and session judges will hear cases related to polio vaccination, streamlining judicial proceedings for vaccine refusal cases.
