KARACHI: A week-long anti-polio campaign began on Monday across Sindh to vaccinate over 10.6 million children under the age of five.

The vaccination drive will continue till Feb 9 as part of the National Immunisation Days (NIDs) campaign.

As many as 82,000 frontline polio workers will go door to door to immunise the children against the crippling disease. To ensure their safety, the Sindh government has deployed 21,844 security personnel.

The drive was formally launched by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah by administering polio drips to children.

Murad launches campaign in Karachi; urges people to welcome vaccination teams to help make province polio-free

Speaking at the launch event at CM House, he reaffirmed his government’s strong commitment to eradicating the crippling disease and ensuring a healthier future for children throughout the province.

He emphasised that polio vaccination was not just a health campaign but a crucial fight for the well-being of Sindh’s children.

“We are determined to ensure that no child in Sindh suffers from this entirely preventable disease,” he stated.

He added that the Sindh government is fully engaged in this mission and that he would personally oversee the progress of the campaign.

The CM highlighted the urgency of vaccinating every child, noting that Pakistan is one of the last two countries in the world where polio is still present.

“In 2024, 22 of Pakistan’s 73 polio cases were reported in Sindh. The first case of 2025 has already been detected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan, reminding us that the virus remains a serious threat,” he said.

Environmental surveillance has also identified the presence of the poliovirus in several areas across Sindh, reinforcing the need for ongoing vigilance, he added.

Sending a strong message against any resistance to the vaccination drive, the Mr Shah said, “We have zero tolerance for any threats or obstruction against our polio teams,” and added that anyone attempting to hinder this campaign would face strict legal action.

Paying rich tributes to the frontline workers, he said: “These workers are the true heroes of this campaign. They are not just health staff; they are protectors of our children’s future and deserve our full respect and support.”

He also introduced a new performance scorecard developed by Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah to evaluate efforts at the district level.

Best-performing districts will be recognised while under performing areas will be held accountable, he said.

He urged parents to cooperate with the vaccination teams, saying, “Open your doors to the polio teams. Don’t let myths or misinformation endanger your child’s future,” he said.

He added that the polio vaccine is safe, effective, and free of cost. “Even if a child has been vaccinated before, they need multiple doses to build strong immunity,” he said.

Additionally, he called upon religious leaders, teachers, community elders, and influencers to use their voices to encourage participation in the campaign.

“Together, with our collective efforts, we will make Sindh, and Pakistan, polio-free,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2025