KARACHI: Amid growing concern over recurrent positive environmental samples from across the province and two confirmed polio cases, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah launched a major anti-polio campaign on Wednesday targeting vulnerable children in Karachi’s 85 high-risk union committees.

The campaign will continue till Aug 25. An estimated 1.13 million children up to five years of age will be administered the oral polio vaccine. Of them, 1.06m children aged between four months and five years will also receive the vaccine dose using jet injectors.

According to officials, the drive will cover 57 per cent of persistently missed children, 54pc of refusals, and 55pc of refusal clusters.

Oral polio vaccine drops, experts says, help prevent transmission of the virus whereas the injectable vaccine provides individual protection.

Murad says success depends on cooperation of parents and community leaders

Speaking to journalists after administering vaccine drops to children at the Khalid Jameel dispensary located in Garden-East, the CM said, “We will be using innovative, painless jet injectors to immunise children under the age of five years in the city’s high-risk areas where the virus is still circulating.”

Accompanied by Information Minister Sharjeel Memon and Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, the CM added that the mission was to stop the spread of the virus in the city and prevent its transmission to other parts of the province.

Discussing the current polio situation in Pakistan, Mr Shah mentioned that 14 new polio cases were reported in the country this year, including two in Sindh — one each in district Shikarpur and district Keamari of Karachi division.

“Each case represents a child affected by polio, a crippling disease that has a life-changing impact on an individual,” he said.

When asked about the progress and challenges in the fight against polio, the chief minister noted that a significant reduction in polio cases over the years had been achieved due to the efforts of healthcare workers, volunteers, and community support. However, the persistence of the virus underscored the need for continued vigilance and efforts, he added.

“Success depends on the participation and cooperation of everyone: parents, guardians, and community leaders. No child is safe unless all children in the community are vaccinated. Let us pledge today that we will protect our children from polio and ensure no child is left behind,” he said.

Mr Shah expressed gratitude to healthcare workers, volunteers, and all those involved in the campaign, acknowledging their dedication as the backbone of the fight against polio.

“Together, we can achieve freedom from polio. Pray for Almighty Allah’s guidance in protecting our children and our nation.”

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Paediatric Association has extended its support to the special drive.

“The association fully supports this campaign and requests parents to ensure that every child under five years of age receives these vaccines in the areas of Karachi where the campaign is being conducted,” the association stated in a press release.

“The polio injection will be given by jet injectors, and it is without any needle, so the child will not feel pain at all. We request parents to complete the routine vaccinations of their children and also cooperate with polio teams every time they come to your door,” the statement added.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2024