Critical anti-polio drive to begin in Sindh tomorrow amid rising cases

The Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) authorities are set to launch a critical Sub-National Immunization Days campaign that will run from September 9 to 15.

The campaign will target 9.4 million children under five across 30 districts of Sindh. This comes at a crucial time, with Pakistan reporting 17 polio cases this year, three of which have been recorded in Sindh.

The urgency of the campaign is underscored by positive environmental samples across the province, indicating the continuous circulation of the poliovirus. Despite decades of eradication efforts, Pakistan remains one of the few countries where polio still poses a significant public health threat.

Irshad Sodhar, provincial coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre, stressed the importance of the campaign: “Given the current alarming situation, repeated vaccination is especially important. Each dose boosts immunity, bringing us closer to eradicating polio once and for all,” he said.

To meet this challenge, over 70,000 frontline workers will be mobilised to vaccinate every eligible child in Sindh. The campaign, supported by the Department of Health, aims to ensure that no child is left vulnerable to this debilitating disease.

However, despite years of concerted efforts, the fight against polio faces numerous obstacles. One major issue is vaccine refusals, often driven by misinformation and mistrust of health authorities. Some communities still resist vaccination, falsely believing the vaccine to be unsafe or harmful. Misinformation campaigns, religious misconceptions, and cultural resistance have particularly hampered progress in rural and conservative areas.

Experts have also highlighted logistical challenges, such as reaching remote areas, maintaining the cold chain for vaccine storage, and navigating conflict zones, which further complicate efforts by health workers. In many regions, security concerns pose serious risks to polio teams. Over the past decade, dozens of polio workers have been attacked, creating an atmosphere of fear among those tasked with protecting the country’s children.

Despite these challenges, authorities remain resolute. The continued detection of positive environmental samples in Sindh indicates that the virus is still actively circulating, making repeated vaccinations essential to stopping transmission. The polio vaccine, administered multiple times, gradually builds immunity in children, making each round of vaccination a crucial step toward eradication.

Parents and caregivers are strongly urged to ensure their children receive the polio vaccine during every round of the campaign. Welcoming vaccination teams each time they visit is vital, as missed doses leave children vulnerable to the virus. Those who miss out during the campaign can contact the Emergency Operations Centre’s Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline (1166) or the WhatsApp Helpline (0346-7776546) for assistance.

The Sindh health department has called on media, community leaders, and religious scholars to continue raising awareness and advocate for the protection of children from this crippling disease. Their support is seen as critical in building trust and overcoming barriers to vaccination.

Pakistan’s battle against polio is at a critical juncture. The Sub-National Immunization Days campaign is not just a routine exercise; it is a race against time to protect the most vulnerable members of society. Every missed dose is a potential case of polio, and every vaccinated child brings the country one step closer to a polio-free future.