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The Government of Sindh, in collaboration with national and international partners, is launching a polio vaccination campaign in April, aiming to vaccinate over 10.6 million children to fight polio.
The campaign, starting from April 21 to 27, will include door-to-door visits and outreach at malls, schools, and public places across the province to ensure coverage.
In Karachi, 2.76 million children are targeted, with over 20,000 trained health workers will be deployed in the city for maximum outreach and efficiency.
A strong security plan has been set, and around 24,552 personnel will provide security to polio teams – 5,669 officers – in Karachi.
The campaign comes amid rising concern, as in 2025 so far, six polio cases have been reported in Pakistan – four from Sindh alone.
Though case numbers are lower this year, detection of poliovirus in Karachi’s environmental samples signals the virus still threatens vulnerable communities.
READ: Polio virus detected in environmental samples across Pakistan
Polio is incurable and can cause lifelong disability, while only repeated vaccination can protect children and help eradicate the virus from Pakistan entirely.
Children must receive routine immunization and extra oral polio vaccine (OPV) doses during such campaigns to boost resistance and avoid future infections.
This same vaccine is safe and used globally, even required for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, and given at private clinics for regular immunization.
Vaccination remains safe even if children were recently immunized elsewhere; every dose strengthens protection and increases chances of a polio-free future.
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To maintain quality, vaccines are stored and transported carefully. The cold chain is checked at every step to keep them effective and strong.
“Every child needs each dose. Parents must support this drive,” urged Irshad Ali Sodhar from the Emergency Operations Centre, Sindh.
Religious leaders, local officials, doctors, and media have joined efforts to support awareness, bust myths, and ensure families trust the campaign.
Officials urge parents to fully cooperate with teams, support the campaign, and call helpline 1166 or WhatsApp 0346-7776546 if any child misses a dose.
