Sindh has slashed polio vaccine refusals by 50pc: Murad

KARACHI: Sindh has achieved a 50 per cent reduction in persistent vaccine refusal cases through targeted community engagement and mobilisation of resources, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah told the Polio Oversight Board (POB), the highest decision-making body of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, on Friday.

“We have mobilised 4,500 additional staff, engaged parliamentarians in areas with high refusal rates, and achieved a 50 per cent reduction in persistent refusals,” Shah informed POB members during a meeting at the CM House.

He said frontline workers, supported by 20,000 police personnel, successfully vaccinated over 10.6 million children in recent campaigns. Led by POB Chair Dr Chris Elias, the board commended the provincial government’s unwavering commitment to combating polio despite significant challenges.

The CM highlighted Sindh’s intensified efforts to address the resurgence of the wild poliovirus type 1, with 13 cases reported this year after 34 months without a case.

The provincial government’s recent immunisation drives reported Local Quality Assessment Survey pass rates of 89 per cent in September and 84 per cent in October.

Shah emphasised the importance of combating vaccine hesitancy through targeted communication strategies, and expressed gratitude to global partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rotary International, for their ongoing support.

Dr Elias praised Sindh’s efforts. “Sindh has made substantial progress, and we are confident that the teams will successfully clear the environment of the virus,” he said. He also acknowledged the unique challenges faced by Karachi, including high population density and community mobility, which complicate efforts to eliminate the virus.

Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho reaffirmed Sindh’s commitment to closing immunity gaps, particularly in high-risk areas like Karachi. “With the steadfast support of the Sindh government and our global partners, we are determined to protect every child, and eliminate polio from the province.” Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah highlighted the role of government support teams in assisting frontline workers and engaging communities to ensure smooth vaccination campaigns. The delegation also acknowledged Sindh’s implementation of performance evaluation scorecards and a transparent accountability framework to enhance campaign efficiency.