KARACHI: The second phase of the fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (f-IPV) and Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) campaign kicked off in the 59 high-risk union committees in the metropolis on Monday.

The drive will target approximately 560,000 children under the age of five.

Around 11,000 frontline workers and supervisors have been deployed for the campaign, which will conclude on March 16.

According to Sindh Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) officials, the drive is part of intensified efforts to combat polio, following the confirmation of a polio case from district Thatta. The case is the fourth reported from Sindh this year and the sixth nationwide, reinforcing the need for urgent vaccination efforts.

Pakistan recorded 74 polio cases in 2024, including 23 from Sindh, highlighting the ongoing risk to unvaccinated children.

Around 560,000 children will be vaccinated during ongoing drive that continues till 16th

“The presence of polio in Sindh is a stark reminder that the virus is still circulating. Every child must receive polio drops in every campaign to stop transmission and protect their future,” said Sindh EOC Coordinator Irshad Ali Sodhar.

The f-IPV and OPV combination in this campaign would provide an added immunity boost, a crucial element in fighting polio, he added.

According to officials, polio continues to be detected in environmental samples across Karachi, indicating the importance of boosting immunity and preventing further virus transmission.

They urged parents to open their doors to vaccinators and ensure their children receive polio drops to prevent lifelong paralysis.

Polio, they said, was a paralysing disease with no cure, and multiple doses of OPV along with routine immunisation were essential to ensure protection.

The Polio Programme has been implementing a rigorous vaccination schedule, reaching over 45 million children nationwide in February 2025. Additionally, a fIPV-OPV campaign in Quetta division and Karachi between February 20-28 vaccinated around 900,000 children, further strengthening immunity.

A targeted vaccination drive was also conducted in 104 UCs bordering Afghanistan or hosting Afghan refugee populations, vaccinating over 600,000 children to reduce the risk of cross-border and internal virus transmission.

Frontline workers, supported by health officials, local authorities, religious leaders, and law enforcement agencies, would be conducting door-to-door vaccinations during the campaign.

The first phase was launched last month targeting over 500,000 children in 27 high-risk union councils.

As country’s largest and most densely populated city, Karachi remains one of the most critical areas for polio eradication due to continuous virus detection in environmental samples and high numbers of refusals.

The provincial data showed that Sindh has reported 42,999 refusal cases this year and Karachi’s share stands at 41,875. The number of refusals in remaining Sindh districts stands at a mere 1,124.

With over 97 per cent share in refusal cases, Karachi remains a crucial battleground in the fight against polio and high-risk UCs are currently under intensive government efforts to enhance vaccine acceptance and strengthen community trust in the public health initiative.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2025