Karachi has emerged as the city with the highest number of polio vaccine refusals in Pakistan, accounting for 34,000 of the 44,000 cases reported nationwide. Notably, 27,000 refusals were concentrated in the city’s East District, with significant numbers among Urdu-speaking and Pashto-speaking communities.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal stressed that although the Ministry of Health offers broad guidance, local authorities are ultimately responsible for eliminating the virus from the environment. He urged parents to immunize their children, assuring them of the vaccine’s safety and highlighting that it is procured through UNICEF.
Environmental surveillance has detected wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in sewage samples from 20 districts, including major cities like Lahore and Multan. However, officials note a decline in overall virus circulation, with only six polio cases reported in 2025 so far, compared to 74 in 2024. This improvement is attributed to enhanced immunization efforts since September of the previous year.
The next phase of the anti-polio campaign is set to commence on April 21, focusing on increasing vaccine acceptance and addressing community concerns to achieve a polio-free Pakistan.
