In response to the rising concern over polio’s resurgence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Peshawar district administration has introduced a new policy requiring proof of polio vaccination for the issuance of vital certificates.
Effective immediately, birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates will only be provided upon submission of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the District Health Officer (DHO). This certificate will confirm that children in the respective family have received the polio vaccine.
This move follows the failure to vaccinate around 20,000 children during Peshawar’s most recent anti-polio campaign, with 8,000 children remaining unvaccinated due to parental refusal. In light of this, the district administration is implementing special measures to address the situation.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to curb the spread of polio in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where 18 cases have already been reported this year, raising concerns about further outbreaks. The administration hopes that this new policy will encourage parents to ensure their children are vaccinated, helping to eradicate the polio virus in the region.
