Parents in Karachi have refused to vaccinate 41,800 children against polio this year, making the city a major challenge in Pakistan’s fight against the virus.
According to provincial data, 42,999 refusal cases were reported across Sindh, with 41,875 of them in Karachi alone. The remaining 1,124 cases came from other districts of the province.
Irshad Ali Sodhar, provincial coordinator of the Emergency Operation Center (EOC), stated that while refusal cases make up less than one percent of the total eligible child population, Karachi remains a high-risk zone due to persistent virus detection in environmental samples.
Authorities have identified over 80 high-risk union councils (UCs), with 27 UCs being targeted in the first phase of intensified vaccination efforts.
To counter vaccine hesitancy, the EOC has engaged 2,799 health centers, 2,900 schools and madrassas, and 3,442 community influencers, including teachers, religious scholars, and local leaders. Mosques have also been involved in spreading awareness during sermons.
A nationwide immunization drive launched in February 2025 aims to vaccinate over 1 million children in Karachi. The campaign uses jet injector technology for fractional inactivated polio vaccine (FIPV), providing a needle-free and stress-free experience for children.
Authorities urge parents to cooperate with vaccinators, emphasizing that both oral polio vaccine (OPV) and FIPV are crucial in eradicating polio and protecting future generations.
