They're part of an immunization drive against polio.

But these health workers also need protection.

Over the past decade, more than 100 vaccinators have been killed in targeted attacks, fueled by conspiracy theories and misinformation.

Hostile anti vax is a republic health threat in Pakistan in need of an antidote, especially as the country prepares for mass immunizations against covert.

19 phase three trials are underway here for Chinese vaccine developer Cancino Biologics, but researchers are still encountering mistrust and fear.

With this kind off work, they're always misconceptions.

In fact, anything you do for the first time, uh, you will come across people who have this fear factor.

Part of the problem is our fundamentalist people who are trying to inculcated some, uh, superstitions and myths into this that the competent off vaccine might be poor sign it is, whether halal or Haram.

And then maybe that's the reason why we're still struggling with the polio vaccine.

Yes, when it comes to the coronavirus, Pakistani authorities are also struggling to communicate the dangers and the urgent need to stamp it out.

In a recent poll, more than a third of Pakistan, He said they'd refuse any covert vaccine that became available from all Let's bring in Charman Chance from DW Asia Shamel to vaccines approved to emergency use so far.

But how does the government plan to convince people to take them?

Well, I think the government has not been doing much to convince anyone.

First of all, we know that two vaccines have been approved by the government.

But we do not know how is the government going to vaccinate such a big population?

So, unlike India, where we see the state run vaccination drive is happening at the moment, we don't see anything in Pakistan.

We don't even know when the vaccines will be available in the market.

Is it going to be a private sector drive?

Is it going to be a statement?

Dr.

We are clueless a same time.

So many people are reluctant to get vaccinated.

Um, they don't believe that coronavirus exists.

So there is.

We see that there is wireless skepticism in Pakistan, so it will be very hard for the government to convince people to get vaccinated.

We don't see a mask Dr.

Happening where the purchases have not been done at the moment, so it's all very chaotic and we see that the government does not have a plan.

You spoke off skepticism in general when it comes to question off vaccines and vaccination in Pakistan, and one immediately thinks of the polio vaccination drive and the troubles that it has faced in Pakistan in the past.

Can you explain for a Shamil why there is such general distrust off vaccines in Pakistan?

We have to understand that Pakistanis, a za nation they love conspiracy theories on it, is happening.

It happens in South Asia.

In Pakistan, it's it's more profound.

Um, most people believe that it is a Western conspiracy.

Um, they also believe that Bill Gates is trying to, uh, get some chips in their bodies with covert vaccine.

We see that the clergy, the Islamic clerics, are against it.

They have been sermonizing against the the vaccines as if it is Ah ha la Laura Haram issue.

Many people believe that it is not Allal.

It is forbidden by Sharia.

What happened as we see that we see increasing attacks all the times, uh, on polio workers, because there is a skepticism that the Western agents, uh come to Pakistan and they try Thio use these vaccination drives, uh, to further their agenda.

What happened?

We must not forget that when Osama bin Laden, the former Al Qaeda leader, was assassinated by US groups and 2000 and 11 there waas a polio vaccination drive where Shaquille Afridi, who was incarcerated in Pakistan, Waas allegedly involved a spy for the CIA.

So a lot.

Many people in Pakistan believed that best countries are behind these campaigns to, uh to further their agenda or to make them non Muslims.

The all sorts of conspiracy theories in Pakistan All right.

Meanwhile, Shamil coronavirus cases continue to rise in Pakistan.

How is the government coping not coping at all liberation?

Because I as I said earlier, we don't see any proper plan by the government.

We don't have the vaccines at the moment.

We don't know.

When are they going to come to Pakistan?

There is no social distancing.

There is no government will to tell people to maintain social distance.

Uh, there is no lock down.

The businesses are open, the shops are open, people are mingling.

Redding's are taking place So nothing has been seen by the government in that direction.

Sharman chanson D W Esha.

Thank you very much.