CM voices concern over parents refusing polio vaccination

Advising Sindh Health Department officials to take all possible steps to ensure the success of the ongoing 10-day polio eradication campaign in Karachi, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday emphasised that vaccinators and polio workers must reach every child in the city to ensure that no child is missed during the drive.

Highlighting the critical importance of public cooperation in eradicating the crippling disease from the province and the country, the CM made it clear that stern action would be taken against parents or guardians who refuse to get their children vaccinated against polio.

In a statement issued from the CM House, Shah expressed concern over the refusal cases, and directed the health department to intensify efforts to make the polio eradication campaign more effective.

“I will not accept any type of refusal from parents,” he asserted, adding that he has issued strict instructions to the district administration and the police to address refusal cases promptly.

“Throughout the world, even smaller and less developed countries have eradicated polio. However, Pakistan and Afghanistan are still struggling with the virus because some parents refuse to let polio drops be administered to their children. We will not allow any parent to refuse polio drops to their children.”

The CM acknowledged the challenges, including certain prejudices, misunderstandings and taboos, associated with polio vaccination, but he assured parents that the provincial government is committed to safeguarding the health of the nation’s children. “We want a polio-free Pakistan, and the Government of Sindh will play a parental role in achieving this goal.”

The polio eradication campaign launched by the CM on August 14 under the slogan ‘Get Rid of Polio’ is targeting 85 union councils in Karachi, aiming to vaccinate over 1.1 million children under the age of five with oral polio vaccine drops.

Additionally, approximately 1,037,000 children aged between four months and five years will receive fractional inactivated polio vaccine (fIPV) injections as part of the current campaign.

‘National duty’

Karachi Commissioner Syed Hasan Naqvi, along with other officials, conducted inspections of polio vaccination centres and held review meetings in various districts, including Malir, West and Keamari.

During these visits, Commissioner Naqvi emphasised the importance of treating the polio eradication mission as a national duty, and ensuring that no child is left unvaccinated.

“Given the presence of the polio virus in Karachi, children aged four months and above are being vaccinated using jet injectors [needle-free injections] to help eliminate the virus from the environment,” said Naqvi.

He stressed that polio eradication is a top priority for the government, and multiple effective measures have been implemented to prevent the spread of the virus in Karachi.

He highlighted that the city administration, under the leadership of deputy commissioners, is working diligently to achieve the goal of a polio-free Pakistan. He noted that jet injectors are being used for vaccination alongside polio drops in high-risk areas to enhance the effectiveness of the campaign.

During his visit to the District Malir DC’s office, Naqvi reviewed the campaign’s progress. He was briefed on the use of jet injectors, which are considered highly modern, safe and effective. He was informed that this method of vaccination was last used in Pakistan in 2019 and had yielded positive results.

In the meetings held in Malir, West and Keamari districts, Naqvi discussed the challenges faced in vaccinating children, particularly in high-risk and super high-risk union councils. These areas include Songal UC in Manghopir, Islamia Colony, Chishti Nagar, Yousuf Goth and Mominabad. The commissioner directed health officials to ensure that the campaign starts on time each day and continues until all targeted children are vaccinated.

To overcome vaccination hurdles, Naqvi emphasised the role of social mobilisers in engaging community leaders and parents to ensure that all registered children receive the vaccine.

Special outreach desks have been established in areas with a high concentration of registered children, making it easier for parents to bring their children for vaccination.

He called on parents to trust the government’s efforts and cooperate fully with polio workers, ensuring that no child is left vulnerable to the devastating effects of the

disease.