Karachi: Pakistan has launched a
week-long polio vaccination campaign starting on 1 September 2025, targeting children under five in
99 high-risk districts across the country—including Karachi and other parts of Sindh Province. This nationwide drive is being conducted in response to a
recent surge in polio cases and escalating flood risks that threaten virus spread.
Why Now?
- A new polio case confirmed in Tank (KP province) has raised this year's total to 24 cases of wild poliovirus across Pakistan.
- Widespread floods have created overcrowded conditions, raising the likelihood of virus transmission—making this campaign critically urgent.
Campaign Details
- Over 240,000 frontline health workers will go door-to-door to vaccinate more than 4.1 million children in Sindh, approximately 5.7 million in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 2.1 million in Balochistan, plus other high-risk regions including Punjab, GB, AJK, and Islamabad.
- In Sindh, specifically, 25 districts will participate and aim to vaccinate around nine million children.
- Authorities are urging parents to ensure their children receive the oral polio drops as a protective and preventive measure—especially as routine immunization schedules remain vital.
Challenges & Call to Action
- Pakistan remains one of only two countries (alongside Afghanistan) where polio is still endemic.
- The program faces ongoing hurdles including vaccine misinformation, operational challenges, and security threats to health workers.
- Public awareness is essential: media campaigns, community engagement, and dispelling myths surrounding vaccination are crucial components.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Campaign Start | 1 September 2025 |
| Duration | 1 week |
| Target Population | Children under five in 99 high-risk districts |
| Vaccination Teams | ~240,000 health workers |
| Focus Areas | Sindh (~9M), KP (~5.7M), Balochistan (~2.1M), plus others |
| Trigger | 24 polio cases this year + flood-induced risk |
| Key Challenges | Misinformation, access, security |
| Priority Action | Community cooperation, immunization coverage, awareness |
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