Murad voices concern over high rate of polio vaccine refusals

Sindh’s chief minister on Monday expressed deep concern over the persistently high rate of polio vaccine refusals in the province, particularly in Karachi and Hyderabad, where refusals account for 85 per cent of the total in the province.

CM Syed Murad Ali Shah pointed out that this hesitancy poses a significant challenge to the polio eradication efforts in Pakistan. He was speaking at the launch of the latest polio eradication campaign at the SMB Fatima Jinnah School in Garden West.

Shah outlined that from October 28 to November 3 the campaign aims to provide oral polio vaccine (OPV) to approximately 10.6 million children under five across 30 districts of the province, along with vitamin A supplements to 9.5 million children aged between six months and five years, to boost immunity.

He highlighted that vaccine hesitancy and refusals are substantial barriers to polio eradication in the country, especially in urban areas of Sindh. He said Karachi alone accounts for 85 per cent of all documented refusals in the province, reflecting a pressing challenge in gaining community support for immunisation.

He noted that to tackle this the provincial government has mobilised a range of resources, including deploying government support teams and engaging parliamentarians, local council committees and UC-level representatives to promote vaccination within communities.

In response to a query, he detailed the ongoing efforts to enhance outreach and reduce refusals through the deployment of on-ground communication networks and social mobilisers. These teams work closely with families in targeted neighbourhoods to improve vaccine uptake and address concerns related to polio immunisation, he explained.

The CM said that the significance of this campaign is underscored by the 41 polio cases reported across Pakistan this year, with 12 cases originating from Sindh alone.

He said that positive environmental samples in Karachi and other areas have confirmed active virus circulation, underscoring the critical need for repeated vaccination rounds to curb the spread.

He stressed that to ensure widespread coverage, around 81,000 frontline workers have been mobilised to conduct door-to-door vaccinations, striving to reach every eligible child. Approximately 19,000 security personnel have also been deployed to safeguard polio teams, ensuring the campaign’s smooth operation in sensitive areas, he added.

Emphasising the importance of routine immunisations, he urged parents and caregivers to cooperate with vaccination teams. “Each round of vaccination is vital to strengthening immunity and protecting children from polio. Cooperation from parents is essential to achieving a polio-free future.” He also encouraged parents to welcome vaccination teams and make sure their children receive the polio drops during each round. For those who miss the scheduled vaccinations, the Emergency Operations Centre’s Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline 1166 and WhatsApp Helpline 0346-7776546 are available to provide guidance on how to ensure their children receive the vaccine.

The chief executive said the provincial government is committed to intensifying its efforts in combating polio and strengthening vaccination outreach to ultimately eliminate the virus. He was accompanied by several cabinet members, including provincial ministers Syed Sardar Shah, Jam Khan Shoro and Zulfiqar Shah, as well as Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who helped administer OPV drops to under-fives during the launch. Senior officials, including School Education Secretary Zahid Abbasi, Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi, Karachi police chief Addl IG Javed Odho and Health Secretary Rehan Baloch, as well as World Health Organisation representatives also attended the event.