• CM urges parents to cooperate with govt for eradication of the crippling disease
• Asks administration, police to deal with cases of vaccine refusal strictly

KARACHI: Expressing serious concern over parents’ lack of cooperation in the ongoing anti-polio drive in the metropolis, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Saturday issued instructions to district administration and police to strictly deal with cases of vaccine refusal.

“I would not accept any type of refusal from the parents,” he said and directed the health department to make the drive more effective.

“Throughout the world, even smaller and less developed countries have got rid of polio but we, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, are still rearing the virus by refusing to administer polio drops to their children. Enough is enough. We would not allow any parent to refuse administering polio vaccine to their children,” he said.

He further stated: “We understand that this is a sensitive issue. There are certain prejudices, misunderstandings and taboos associated with the administration of polio. The government is trying its best to create awareness and address these challenges.”

‘Vaccination coverage fast improving’

The provincial authorities engaged in a major ongoing anti-polio campaign stated on Saturday that vaccination coverage was fast improving in high-risk areas after an initial hiccup.

“Over the past two days, we have seen a dramatic positive change on the ground in the same 40 union councils where 27 per cent parents had refused to get their children vaccinated on the first day of polio drive,” shared EOC (Emergency Operation Centre) Coordinator Irshad Sodhar.

“I think that’s because parents are seeing that the vaccine injection is painless with no side-effects. The growing acceptability of the new strategy would definitely help us protect vulnerable children and communities,” he added.

According to him, vaccination coverage has increased from 62pc to over 80pc in two days in the same 40 union councils that will be continue to be the focus in the drive till Monday.

“I have personally visited sites in three districts and was happy to see parents’ participation, particularly of mothers.”

It might be recalled that the chief minister had launched a special 10-day campaign on Aug 14 targeting over 1.1 million children in 85 high-risk union councils.

The province has reported two polio cases so far this year. One of them was detected in district Keamari in Karachi reporting over 70 positive environmental samples this year.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2024