Polio Amidst COVID-19 in Pakistan: What are the Efforts Being Made and Challenges at Hand?

Ahmad, Shoaib; Babar, Maryam Salma; Ahmadi, Attaullah; Essar, Mohammad Yasir; Khawaja, Uzzam Ahmed; Lucero‐Prisno, Don Eliseo

doi:10.4269/ajtmh.20-1438

Cited by 13 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…In turn, this can reverse the progress made so far in reducing the prevalence and mortality from these fatal viral infections. Similar behavior has been observed in other parts of the world, such as Guinea, Brazil, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, where the pandemic has negatively affected the epidemiological surveillance of endemic infectious diseases like Ebola, 4 dengue, 5 , 6 chikungunya, 7 Zika, 8 polio, 9 , 10 and typhoid. 11 …”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Viral infections amidst COVID‐19 in Africa: Implications and recommendations

Uwishema

Adanur

Babatunde

et al. 2021

Journal of Medical Virology

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Viral infections have been on the rise for the past decades. The impact of the viruses worsened amidst the pandemic burdening the already overwhelmed health care system in African countries. This article sheds light on how the coronavirus together with the already existing viral infections, some of which re‐emerged, impacted the continent. The strategies in place such as immunization, education, will have to be strengthened in all African countries to reduce the burden. Furthermore, governments can further collaborate with other countries in creating guidelines to reduce co‐infection of the diseases.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Viral infections amidst COVID‐19 in Africa: Implications and recommendations

Uwishema

Adanur

Babatunde

et al. 2021

Journal of Medical Virology

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“…Hence to keep the curve flattened , all preventive measures should be taken care of by the general public so the economy and the basic infrastructure of the country can thrive. [28] Khola Noreen et al [29] study also addressed the similar study, and both of our study results are more or less similar with respect to knowledge, attitude and practice. In our study we have addressed the questions in much more detailed formed and the statistical analysis is done based on each question individually.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Knowledge, attitude and practices related to COVID-19 among medical students in Pakistan: A web-based survey

Hashim¹,

Manal²,

Afzal³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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In the times of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary for the medical students to have knowledge about the features of thedisease, how the disease is transmitted, and protective measures to contain the COVID-19. This study was conducted to evaluateknowledge, attitude, and practices related to COVID-19 in Pakistani medical students. We conducted a web-based survey fromMarch 29 to May 10, 2020, utilizing an online platform. Medical students from 1st to 5th professional years in medical collegesacross the country were requested to participate. The questionnaire consisting of 31 items were circulated online using differentsocial media channels to collect the required information. Proportions for categorical variables were tested using the Chi-squaretest or Fisher’s exact tests. A total of 344 medical students responded, and their overall knowledge about COVID-19 was 88.86%. Nearly 31.0% of participants were involved in awareness projects regarding COVID-19 in the community and 84.6% ofparticipants were willing to volunteer in healthcare crises. The percentage of the medical students who opted lockdown/curfew tobe a better solution for curbing disease transmission was 94.2% while 95.9% of them believed social distancing can prevent thetransmission. The average rate of practicing correct preventive measures among the respondents was 93.25%. The study showedsufficient knowledge, the crucial practice of preventive measures regarding COVID-19, and unveiled a profoundly assertiveattitude of the medical students of Pakistan toward the current health crises. More regular awareness and educational programsfor medical students related to the COVID-19 can boost and update their current knowledge.

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“… 18 , 19 , 20 The persistence of polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the increase in circulating vaccine-derived polio virus, has been a warning call for intensifying efforts for control despite the coronavirus pandemic. 21 , 22 From 2017 onwards, measles vaccine coverage was strained by inequitable distribution and rising vaccine hesitancy, leading to the highest-ever reported number of measles deaths in 2019 within the past two decades. 23 Experiences from past epidemics, such as the west African Ebola disease outbreak in 2014–15, when suspension of vaccination programmes and decrease in vaccination coverage resulted in more deaths because of measles than of Ebola, holds poignant lessons for maintaining vaccinations during severe crises.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on routine immunisation services: evidence of disruption and recovery from 170 countries and territories

Shet

Carr

Danovaro-Holliday

et al. 2022

The Lancet Global Health

221

140

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Background The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has revealed the vulnerability of immunisation systems worldwide, although the scale of these disruptions has not been described at a global level. This study aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 on routine immunisation using triangulated data from global, country-based, and individual-reported sources obtained during the pandemic period. Methods This report synthesised data from 170 countries and territories. Data sources included administered vaccine-dose data from January to December, 2019, and January to December, 2020, WHO regional office reports, and a WHO-led pulse survey administered in April, 2020, and June, 2020. Results were expressed as frequencies and proportions of respondents or reporting countries. Data on vaccine doses administered were weighted by the population of surviving infants per country. Findings A decline in the number of administered doses of diphtheria–pertussis–tetanus-containing vaccine (DTP3) and first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) in the first half of 2020 was noted. The lowest number of vaccine doses administered was observed in April, 2020, when 33% fewer DTP3 doses were administered globally, ranging from 9% in the WHO African region to 57% in the South-East Asia region. Recovery of vaccinations began by June, 2020, and continued into late 2020. WHO regional offices reported substantial disruption to routine vaccination sessions in April, 2020, related to interrupted vaccination demand and supply, including reduced availability of the health workforce. Pulse survey analysis revealed that 45 (69%) of 65 countries showed disruption in outreach services compared with 27 (44%) of 62 countries with disrupted fixed-post immunisation services. Interpretation The marked magnitude and global scale of immunisation disruption evokes the dangers of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks in the future. Trends indicating partial resumption of services highlight the urgent need for ongoing assessment of recovery, catch-up vaccination strategy implementation for vulnerable populations, and ensuring vaccine coverage equity and health system resilience. Funding US Agency for International Development.

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Polio Amidst COVID-19 in Pakistan: What are the Efforts Being Made and Challenges at Hand?

Cited by 13 publications

References 7 publications

Viral infections amidst COVID‐19 in Africa: Implications and recommendations

Viral infections amidst COVID‐19 in Africa: Implications and recommendations

Knowledge, attitude and practices related to COVID-19 among medical students in Pakistan: A web-based survey

Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on routine immunisation services: evidence of disruption and recovery from 170 countries and territories

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