KARACHI: Describing misinformation and rumours as the biggest challenge in the fight for polio eradication, experts on Friday said that Karachi remained a high-risk zone due to persistent virus circulation and population movement.

They were speaking at a media briefing on the upcoming Polio Booster Dose Campaign organised at the Karachi Press Club. The attendees included members of the Sindh Polio Eradication Programme, the Sindh Emergency Operations Centre core team and health experts.

The campaign will continue from May 12 to 25 in 89 high-risk union committees (UCs) of Karachi, where children up to 10 years of age will receive a polio booster dose. The vaccination is aimed at strengthening immunity and interrupting poliovirus transmission.

Highlighting progress in Sindh, EOC coordinator Sheheryar Memon said vaccination coverage across the province had improved significantly while the number of vaccine refusals among parents was gradually declining due to sustained community engagement and awareness efforts.

EOC official claims vaccine refusal cases gradually declining

“We are fighting the last remaining type of poliovirus, and every child vaccinated brings us one step closer to a polio-free Karachi and Pakistan,” he said.

He added that the programme was engaging all influential segments of society — including media representatives, religious leaders, teachers, civil society and government institutions — to ensure the success of the booster dose campaign and address misinformation surrounding vaccines.

Medical experts participating in the briefing strongly endorsed the booster dose strategy and emphasised that additional doses were essential to reinforce immunity among children living in high-risk areas.

“The booster dose campaign is a critical intervention for protecting children against poliovirus and confirmed that children up to 10 years of age will be vaccinated during the campaign,” said Dr Sundeep Sahitia, representing the WHO.

He emphasised that the polio booster dose was free, safe and essential for every eligible child.

He urged parents to cooperate fully with front-line workers and ensure their children receive the booster dose vaccine.

Dr Sahitia further noted that despite a sharp decline in global polio cases, Karachi continued to remain a high-risk zone due to persistent virus circulation and population movement, making intensified vaccination efforts necessary.

Officials shared that front-line workers had completed extensive training with special focus on safe vaccine administration and community engagement during the campaign.

The briefing concluded with a renewed call for collective action and public cooperation to eliminate polio permanently and protect every child from lifelong disability.

To build public confidence and reassure parents about the safety of the vaccine, the EOC coordinator and several journalists participating in the session received the polio booster dose during the event.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2026