Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed deep concern over the high rate of polio vaccine refusals in Karachi and Hyderabad, highlighting the resistance as a critical hurdle in Pakistan’s polio eradication campaign. Launching a fresh vaccination drive at SMB Fatima Jinnah School Garden West, Shah emphasized the urgency of immunizing children across the province to prevent the debilitating disease. Joined by cabinet members Syed Sardar Shah, Jam Khan Shoro, Zulfiqar Shah, and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, the chief minister administered oral polio vaccines (OPV) to children under five at the event. The launch was attended by senior officials, including Secretary School Education Zahid Abbasi, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Adl IG Karachi Javed Odho, Secretary Health Rehan Baloch, and WHO representatives Dr. Hamid Jafery and Dr. Zainul Abideen. The week-long campaign, running from October 28 to November 3, 2024, aims to reach 10.6 million children under five in Sindh’s 30 districts. Additionally, around 9.5 million children aged six months to five years will receive Vitamin A supplements to boost their immunity. Murad Shah highlighted that vaccine hesitancy is particularly problematic in Karachi, where 85% of Sindh’s refusals are documented. “The number of refusals in these cities is a serious obstacle to our efforts,” he said. He added that the campaign is vital as Pakistan has reported 41 polio cases this year, with 12 from Sindh alone, underscoring the need to curb the virus’s spread. To counter the resistance, Shah’s government has intensified support efforts, deployed government teams and mobilizing local parliamentarians, council committees, and UC-level bodies. “Social mobilizers on the ground are actively working to promote vaccine uptake and lower refusal rates in October’s National Immunization Days (NIDs),” he stated. The chief minister also cited the presence of positive environmental samples in Karachi and other areas as evidence of active virus circulation, further reinforcing the drive’s necessity. To ensure comprehensive coverage, over 81,000 frontline workers will conduct door-to-door visits, aiming to reach every eligible child. Nearly 19,000 security personnel will accompany these workers to safeguard the campaign. Addressing parents directly, Murad Shah emphasized the importance of repeated vaccination to build immunity against polio, stating, “Each vaccination round is a crucial step toward building immunity and protecting our children from polio. Parents and caregivers must cooperate with vaccination teams to safeguard their children’s futures.” He urged families to welcome vaccination teams and ensure children receive doses during each round to maximize protection against the virus.
