PESHAWAR: Eminent religious scholars from Pakistan and Afghanistan have reiterated that polio vaccines are not only safe and in compliance with Islamic principles, but also a religious and moral duty of all parents. It was stated in a press release issued by EOC KP religious scholars in a joint declaration at the Afghanistan-Pakistan Eminent Ulema Conference held in Doha (Qatar). The conference is an innovative step in the global effort to stop poliovirus, under the aegis of the Islamic Advisory Group for polio eradication (IAG). As the last remaining bastions of wild polio virus are in the bordering areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan, the two countries are tackling challenges ranging from poor health systems to community mistrust. As global polio eradication efforts address the former, advocates including religious scholars are essential to addressing the latter and persuading parents for the safety and efficacy of vaccines.

Source: Pakistan Today April 16, 2019 16:07 UTC