Refusals, missed children remain challenge as Sindh prepares for anti-polio drive

With over 220,000 children missed in the February anti-polio campaign — including nearly 43,000 children who were not allowed to have polio vaccine administered and over 177,000 children who were not available when vaccination teams tried to reach them — Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has called for intensified efforts to convert refusals and improve field supervision ahead of the upcoming National Immunisation Days (NIDs) scheduled from April 21 till 27.

“Sindh has reported four polio cases so far in 2025 — down from 23 last year — but every refusal is a risk to our children,” the CM said while presiding over a meeting of the Provincial Task Force for Polio Eradication at the CM House.

“We must treat each refusal not as a confrontation, but as an opportunity to inform, engage and protect,” he said. Data shared at the meeting revealed that during the February 2025 campaign, nearly 43,000 households refused vaccination, with over 177,000 children not available at the time of the visit. Although 99 per cent of the 9 million targeted households were reached, roughly 220,000 children were still missed — a gap that could allow the virus to survive and spread.

The four confirmed cases this year have been reported from Badin, Larkana, Kambar and Thatta, with Sindh accounting for four out of Pakistan’s six cases so far in 2025. Environmental surveillance has also raised red flags: all seven districts of Karachi have returned positive samples, with the virus detected in areas such as Sohrab Goth, Machhar Colony, Orangi, and Korangi Nalla, among others. Similar detections have been reported in Sukkur, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Larkana divisions.

“We must not be complacent because of the declining case count,” said Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho. “We are dealing with an elusive virus that hides in sewage and travels quietly. Only absolute coverage can break its chain.

Dr. Pechuho stressed the importance of multiple follow-up visits to households that initially refused vaccination, along with integrating routine immunisation and nutrition support into polio campaigns to build trust within communities. “Refusals often stem from fatigue or misinformation — and both require persistent, respectful engagement,” she added.

Chief Secretary Syed Asif Hyder Shah instructed all the deputy commissioners to lead from the front, establish district-level war rooms and monitor campaign readiness, security and coverage in real time. “You cannot lead from behind a desk — field presence is non-negotiable,” he told administrators.

The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Sindh shared an update on the preparations for the April campaign, which aims to vaccinate over 10.6 million children across the province, including 2.76 million in Karachi alone.

To achieve this, nearly 70,000 trained polio workers will go door-to-door and visit schools, malls and transit points. Over 24,500 security personnel, including 5,669 in Karachi, will be deployed to ensure the safety of frontline workers.

“This is the same vaccine that has protected millions around the world and is mandatory for travel to places like Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah,” said EOC Sindh Coordinator Irshad Ali Sodhar. “It is perfectly safe to give another dose, even if a child has recently received one.”

Officials also underlined that the cold chain was being meticulously maintained — from storage warehouses to the point of administration — to ensure the vaccine's potency and safety. The meeting emphasised the importance of involving religious leaders, media, and healthcare professionals to strengthen public confidence in the campaign.

The CM concluded the meeting with a firm call to action. “The virus is still circulating, but so is our resolve. We must ensure every child under five is vaccinated, without exception. Sindh must lead the way in making Pakistan polio-free.”

Citizens are urged to cooperate with polio teams and ensure their children receive the vaccine. In case a child under five years has missed the vaccine, parents can call 1166 or WhatsApp 0346-7776546 for immediate assistance.