ISLAMABAD:Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) has expressed deep concern over the diphtheria outbreak, emphasising the need for an effective vaccination campaign and urging that the availability and provision of antitoxins be ensured across the country.

PIMA President Prof Dr Atif Hafeez Siddiqui on Wednesday stated that a disease that had almost disappeared for a long time due to effective vaccination had now resurfaced with such intensity, raising serious concerns and also casting a significant question mark over the performance of the relevant authorities.

“A major reason behind this outbreak is the ineffectiveness of the Expanded Program of Immunisation, especially because many children missed their vaccinations during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is estimated that the actual number of child fatalities due to this disease is much higher than the official figures suggest,” he said.

Dr Siddiqui further explained that diphtheria affected children who were not fully vaccinated and whose immune systems were weak.

“Although this disease is treatable, the only effective way to prevent it is through the complete vaccination of children,” he added.

He called for a nationwide campaign to ensure full vaccination of children. He also emphasised that the availability of antitoxins should be guaranteed, and the campaign must be made fully effective by addressing any shortcomings or inefficiencies.

It is worth mentioning that according to World Health Organisation (WHO) diphtheria is a disease caused by a bacterium that affects the upper respiratory tract and less often the skin. It also produces a toxin that damages the heart and the nerves. Diphtheria is a vaccine preventable disease, but multiple doses and booster doses are needed to produce and sustain immunity.

“Those who are not immunised or under immunised are at risk of the disease. For unvaccinated individuals, without proper treatment, diphtheria can be fatal in around 30pc of cases, with young children at higher risk of dying. Recent diphtheria outbreaks stress the importance of sustaining high levels of vaccination coverage in communities across the life course.

In 2023, an estimated 84pc of children worldwide received the recommended three doses of diphtheria-containing vaccine during infancy, leaving 16pc with no or incomplete coverage. There is wide coverage variation between and within countries,” WHO stated.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2024