By: Dr. Khush Bakht Siddiqui

In Pakistan, the growing narrative against the polio vaccine is largely a product of fear, mistrust, and conspiracy thinking rather than scientific evidence or ground realities. Recently, this debate has intensified with the claim that since controversial figures like Jeffrey Epstein were allegedly associated with certain global charitable initiatives, the polio vaccine itself must be suspicious and should therefore be stopped. This argument may sound emotionally appealing, but logically and scientifically it is deeply flawed. Rejecting a globally accepted medical intervention because of the crimes of one individual reflects fear-based thinking, not rational judgment.

First, it is important to understand that the polio vaccine is not the project of a single person, institution, or country. It is the result of decades of collective scientific research by the global medical community. The polio virus was identified in the early twentieth century, and the first effective vaccine was developed in 1955. Since then, scientists from many countries have continuously improved it through extensive testing and research involving tens of millions of children worldwide under controlled conditions. The vaccine currently used in Pakistan is approved and monitored by international bodies such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF, as well as national health authorities. Every batch undergoes strict quality control procedures before it is administered. The idea that such a system could secretly operate under one hidden agenda ignores how modern science actually functions.

Polio is not a theoretical or exaggerated threat; it is a real and devastating disease. It attacks the nervous system and can permanently paralyze a child for life. There is no cure for polio, only prevention. Globally, at the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in late 1980`s, more than 350,000 children were paralyzed by polio each year. Today, that number has fallen by over 99%, with fewer than a few hundred confirmed cases annually worldwide, highlighting the dramatic success of vaccination campaigns. Countries that embraced vaccination eliminated polio decades ago, while only Pakistan and Afghanistan remain endemic. In Pakistan alone, 30 polio cases were reported in 2025 compared with 74 in 2024, showing marked progress despite challenges. This decline occurred even as over 44 million children were vaccinated in the final 2025 nationwide campaign.

People often argue that someone like Jeffrey Epsteing involved in crimes against children cannot be a well wisher of children. This question seems emotionally justified, but it ignores how the world of funding and philanthropy actually works. Across the globe, wealthy businessmen and influential individuals donate money to various social and medical causes for many different reasons. Sometimes they want to improve their public image, sometimes they seek political influence, sometimes tax benefits, and sometimes they simply respond to requests from institutions. In such cases, the moral character of the donor is not the decisive factor. What truly matters is the outcome of the project itself. In the case of polio vaccination, the real question is not who donated money at some point, but whether the vaccine saves children from disease. And this has been proven repeatedly by decades of research, millions of immunizations, global statistics, and real-world experience.

Another common conspiracy claim is that Western countries want to harm Muslim populations through vaccines. However, this argument collapses under basic logic. The polio vaccine was first administered to children in Europe and the United States, where Muslims are a minority. If it were a hidden plan to damage certain communities, it would not begin with the very societies that developed the vaccine. The reality is simple: countries that trusted science eliminated polio, while regions that resisted vaccination continue to struggle with it.

For Pakistan, this is not only a health issue but also a national one. Because polio still exists here, Pakistani travelers often face restrictions and are required to show vaccination certificates for international travel. This affects the country’s global reputation and creates unnecessary barriers for its citizens. Therefore, refusing vaccination is not merely a personal choice; it directly impacts the future of society as a whole.

If someone genuinely believes that the polio vaccine is harmful, the logical response should be research, not rumors. They should read medical journals, consult qualified doctors, examine statistics, and base their opinion on evidence. Blindly trusting social media videos, hearsay, or conspiracy content while risking an entire generation’s health is neither responsible nor rational. Fear is easy to spread, but truth requires effort and critical thinking.

In the end, the real issue is not who is good or bad in the world, but what kind of future we want for our children. The polio vaccine is not a weapon of conspiracy; it is one of the greatest successes of modern medicine. It has protected millions of children from lifelong disability. If we truly care about children, our decisions must be based on knowledge rather than fear, research rather than rumors, and reality rather than emotional manipulation. Because the consequences of this choice will not fall on politicians, donors, or institutions, but directly on the next generation.