KARACHI: Mayor Murtaza Wahab on Monday inaugurated a special anti-polio campaign at the Lyari Football Stadium.

Under the campaign, two million children, aged between four months and 10 years, will be administered a booster dose through drops and jet injectors across Karachi.

Talking to reporters, the mayor said that access to vaccines for every child is being ensured to eradicate polio. He said collective efforts are essential for a polio-free Karachi.

He stated that the anti-polio drive is being further strengthened across the city, including Lyari, so that no child is deprived of protective vaccination.

He appealed to parents to ensure that children up to five years of age receive polio drops and advised them not to pay attention to negative propaganda.

He said vaccines used in government and private hospitals are of the same standard, while the World Health Organisation and medical experts have also declared the vaccine safe.

He added that both he and Deputy Mayor Salman Murad had themselves received booster doses to convey a message of confidence to the public.

The mayor urged citizens to fully cooperate with polio teams during the next 12 to 13 days so that Pakistan can be made permanently polio-free.

He stated that reaching every child in a large city like Karachi is certainly a challenge. However, the government, municipal institutions, and healthcare workers are performing this national duty with full dedication to protect future generations from disability, he added.

During the ceremony, health officials briefed attendees that hundreds of mobile and fixed teams had been formed across the city for the special booster dose campaign. These teams will perform duties in various areas, schools, hospitals, and community centres.

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2026