Karachi: The Government of Sindh, in collaboration with the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative and global partners, is officially launching a province-wide polio vaccination campaign from February 3 to February 9, 2025, targeting over 10.6 million children under the age of five.
Campaign Scope and Security Arrangements:
The vaccination campaign will cover all 30 districts of Sindh, with over 81,000 frontline polio workers deployed to conduct door-to-door vaccination, operate at fixed sites, and manage transit vaccination points to reach children on the move.
To ensure the safety and smooth operation of the campaign, 21,844 security personnel are being deployed across Sindh, including 5,833 in Karachi and 16,011 in the rest of the province.
The Government of Sindh has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting polio workers, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy against any threats or obstruction to vaccination teams.
Urgency of the Campaign:
Pakistan remains one of the last two countries in the world where polio is still endemic, alongside Afghanistan. In 2024, Pakistan reported 73 cases of wild poliovirus, with 22 cases from Sindh alone. The first case of 2025 has already been reported from Dera Ismail Khan, underscoring the ongoing threat of the virus.
Moreover, over 625 environmental samples tested positive for poliovirus in 2024, including consistent detections from high-risk areas in Karachi, Hyderabad, and other districts.
This campaign is critical in stopping the virus from spreading further and protecting children from permanent paralysis.
“We cannot afford to be complacent. Until polio is eradicated, every child remains at risk. I urge parents, caregivers, and community leaders to support this campaign and ensure every child under five receives polio protection drops,” said Irshad Ali Sodhar, Provincial Coordinator, Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Sindh.
Government and Community Mobilization:
The Sindh government is working closely with district administrations, health officials, and community influencers to ensure maximum coverage, particularly in high-risk areas, low-income communities, and migrant settlements.
Special efforts are being made to reach mobile populations, nomadic groups, and children living in underserved communities.
The campaign is supported by religious leaders, educators, and community elders, who are playing a vital role in dispelling myths and encouraging vaccine acceptance.
Appeal to Parents and Caregivers:
The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) is safe, effective, and free of cost. The Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme urges all parents to ensure that their children under the age of five receive polio drops during the campaign. We need the support of the media, religious leaders, doctors and civil society to help us eradicate this debilitating disease, so that our future generations are free from its danger.
For any questions or concerns, parents can call the Polio Helpline at 1166.
