Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has highlighted that vaccine hesitancy and refusals remain significant hurdles to the country’s polio eradication efforts, particularly in urban areas such as Karachi and Hyderabad, where many parents refuse to allow their children to receive the oral polio vaccine (OPV).
Speaking at the launch of a polio eradication campaign at SMB Fatima Jinnah School Garden, West, CM Shah announced that the week-long campaign, running from October 28 to November 3, 2024, aims to vaccinate 10.6 million children under the age of five across 30 districts in Sindh with OPV to protect them from the crippling disease. Additionally, 9.5 million children between six months and five years old will receive Vitamin A supplements to boost their immunity.
He emphasized that vaccine refusals, particularly in Karachi and Hyderabad, are a major challenge, with Karachi alone accounting for 85 percent of all refusals in Sindh. In response to this, the government has deployed support teams and engaged parliamentarians, local council committees, and UC-level bodies to assist in the campaign. CM Shah also noted that social mobilizers are actively working on the ground to increase vaccine acceptance and reduce refusals during the National Immunization Days (NIDs) in October.
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With 41 polio cases reported across Pakistan this year, including 12 in Sindh, CM Shah stressed the importance of the campaign in controlling the spread of the virus. The detection of positive environmental samples in Karachi and other areas further indicates the ongoing circulation of the virus, making the vaccination drive crucial.
To meet this challenge, approximately 81,000 frontline workers will be mobilized to conduct door-to-door vaccination efforts, ensuring that every eligible child is vaccinated. The government will also deploy around 19,000 security personnel to protect polio workers and ensure a smooth and secure campaign.
CM Shah underscored the necessity of repeated vaccinations, urging parents and caregivers to cooperate with vaccination teams. “Each round of vaccination is a critical step toward building immunity and protecting our children from polio,” he stated, stressing the need for collective action to safeguard children’s futures.
During the event, CM Shah was joined by cabinet members, including Sardar Shah, Jam Khan Shoro, Zulfiqar Shah, and Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, who administered OPV to children under five. Several key officials, including Secretary School Education Zahid Abbasi, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Additional IG Karachi Javed Odho, Secretary Health Rehan Baloch, and representatives from WHO, attended the event.
