The Sindh government has started a renewed polio booster dose campaign across 89 high-risk Union Councils to protect children from the poliovirus. According to Beyond Time News, the drive will continue from May 12 to May 24 and aims to vaccinate nearly 1.8 million children up to 10 years of age.
Health officials said the campaign includes both Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) drops and an additional booster dose for eligible children to strengthen immunity against the virus.
Karachi Remains a High-Risk Area
Authorities consider Karachi one of the biggest challenges in Pakistan’s fight against polio because of its large population, frequent migration, and repeated detection of poliovirus in environmental samples.
During campaign outreach activities, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said the city’s size and constant movement of people make public health efforts more difficult. He explained that the booster campaign is necessary to close immunity gaps in vulnerable areas.
He also urged parents to trust medical experts and avoid misinformation spreading on social media platforms.
Officials Warn Against Vaccine Misinformation
According to Beyond Time News, officials described misinformation as one of the biggest obstacles to completely eradicating polio in Pakistan.
Mayor Murtaza Wahab warned that false rumours discourage parents from vaccinating their children and weaken nationwide efforts to eliminate the disease.
He praised vaccinators, social mobilisers, sanitation workers, district administration teams, and law enforcement personnel for working tirelessly to ensure children in hard-to-reach areas receive protection.
Read more:Pakistan Reports Two New Polio Cases in 2026
Sindh Health Minister Launches Campaign
At a ceremony held at the Sindh Secretariat, Sindh Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho officially launched the campaign by administering booster doses to children alongside senior health officials.
She stated that routine immunisation and booster doses remain the most effective way to protect children, especially in densely populated urban centres like Karachi.
The minister described the booster shot as a safe, evidence-based, and internationally accepted measure for preventing polio. She also stressed that parents, teachers, healthcare workers, religious leaders, and civil society must work together to eliminate the disease permanently.
Pakistan Continues Fight Against Polio
Pakistan remains one of the few countries where polio still exists. Health experts believe consistent vaccination campaigns, public awareness, and community cooperation are essential to stopping the virus from spreading further.
Officials encouraged parents across Sindh to ensure their children receive both the OPV drops and booster dose during the campaign period to help secure a polio-free future for Pakistan.
