Adding to the problems faced by experts trying to persuade people of the vaccines’ safety: The oral vaccines themselves now cause most polio cases worldwide.
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So far this year, there have been seven cases of polio caused by the wild virus - all in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, more than 270 cases have been caused by a virus linked to the vaccine in 21 countries across three continents. In January, roughly 62,000 parents, mostly in Pakistan’s Sindh province, refused polio vaccinations for their children, prompting authorities there to propose the new law with penalties.
The bill is in the final stages of becoming law after the provincial assembly approved it in August. It would punish parents with up to a month in prison for failing to vaccinate their children against certain diseases; they could also be fined up to Rs50,000 ($168). Officials said their primary aim was to boost polio immunisation rates, though diseases including measles, pneumonia and pertussis are also in the legislation.
They could make things a lot easier for themselves by discouraging first cousins from becoming parents.