Pakistan - October 23, 2024

Storyline:
Officials and health workers in Pakistan are gearing up for a nationwide vaccination drive to eradicate polio as the country faces a resurgence of cases.

The campaign is scheduled to begin on Oct. 28. However, violence targeting health workers and the police protecting them continues to hinder efforts to eradicate the disease.

Pakistan has reported 39 new polio cases since January, a sharp increase from just six cases last year.

The upcoming nationwide campaign aims to vaccinate children in a renewed push to make Pakistan polio-free.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are the last two countries where polio remains endemic. Pakistani health officials are urging both countries to synchronize their anti-polio efforts to curb the spread of the disease on both sides of the border.

Experts say renewed commitment, stronger vaccination drives and continued community engagement will be key to ensuring that future generations can live in a polio-free world.

Polio is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by poliovirus, which can infect a person's spinal cord, leading to paralysis.

Every year on Oct. 24, the World Polio Day is observed to raise awareness of the importance of polio vaccination to protect every child from this devastating disease and to celebrate the many parents, professionals, and volunteers whose contributions make polio eradication achievable.

Shotlist:
FILE: Islamabad, Pakistan - Date Unknown:
1. Aerial shot of Pakistan's national flag;
2. Aerial shot of cityscape;
FILE: Islamabad, Pakistan - Sept 11, 2024:
3. Various of traffic, buildings;
Balochistan, Pakistan - Oct 23, 2024:
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ayesha Raza Farooq, Pakistani Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication (partially overlaid with shots 5-6):
"The World Polio Day is a reminder for us to see the great and recognize the great sacrifices that have been made by polio workers, and I would like to use this day to recognize our real heroes, who are our front-line polio workers as well as the security personnel.";
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: Islamabad, Pakistan - Sept 25, 2018:
5. Health workers giving vaccine to girl;
6. Health workers making mark on girl's finger;
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
FILE: Islamabad, Pakistan - Sept 11, 2024:
7. Various of children receiving polio vaccination, having fingers marked;
Balochistan, Pakistan - Oct 23, 2024:
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Ayesha Raza Farooq, Pakistani Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication (starting with shot 7/ending with shots 9-10):
"We are very hopeful that through these campaigns, we are hoping to reach every child below the age of five in Pakistan, approximately 45 million children in the national campaign, then we should be in a good position to reverse the current epidemiology that we see, by the end of this year."
FILE: Islamabad, Pakistan - Sept 11, 2024:
9. Health workers giving vaccine to boy;
10. Health workers making mark on boy's finger;
11. Vaccine, mark pen, scissor;
12. Box;
13. Various of staff member giving vaccine to boy;
14. Various of children.

[No access Chinese mainland]