A significant – 98 percent – of polio vaccine refusal cases in Sindh are reported from Karachi, according to recent data shared during a meeting of the provincial polio task force.
The meeting, chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, focused on preparations for the upcoming anti-polio campaign, scheduled from February 3 to 9, 2025.
The Chief Minister expressed concern over the rising number of polio cases, particularly in urban areas.
While briefing attendees, officials revealed that high-risk union councils are concentrated in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Larkana, with Karachi accounting for the majority of vaccine refusals.
Notably, 50 percent of the refusal cases in Karachi are from slum areas.
CM Shah stressed that refusing the polio vaccine is unacceptable and called for stronger action against areas where children are not receiving the vaccine.
He also emphasized that strict measures should be taken against any fake or incorrect reports of vaccine coverage.
During the meeting, the team claimed to have eliminated the polio virus in Tharparkar and Matiari districts of Sindh.
