CM Murad Shah says, “We will be using innovative, painless jet injectors to immunize children under the age of five in the city’s high-risk areas where the virus is still circulating”
By Ishaque Hashmi
KARACHI: After surfacing positive environmental samples in recurrence from across the province and two confirmed polio cases, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, along with Sindh Minister for Health Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, and Sindh Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, on Wednesday launched an anti-polio (fIPV) campaign targeting vulnerable children in 85 high-risk union committees of Karachi. The campaign started from August 15 to 25, aiming to administer the oral polio vaccines to an estimated 1.13 million children under the age of five.
Additionally, 1.06 million children aged between four months and five years will receive the vaccine through painless jet injectors. The official data showed that the drive intended to cover 57 percent of persistently missed children (PMCs), 54 percent of refusals, and 55 percent of refusal clusters. Experts explain that oral polio vaccine drops help prevent the transmission of the virus, while the injectable vaccine provides individual protection.
Speaking to journalists after administering vaccine drops to children at the Khalid Jameel dispensary in Garden-East, CM Murad Shah said, “We will be using innovative, painless jet injectors to immunize children under the age of five in the city’s high-risk areas where the virus is still circulating.” He added that the mission was to stop the spread of the virus and prevent its transmission to other parts of the province.
It is pertinent to mention that Sindh experienced two recent polio cases in the fourth year, raising serious concerns as there had been no cases in the entire province for the past three years. Discussing the current polio situation in Pakistan, Shah mentioned that 14 new polio cases have been reported in the country this year, including two in Sindh—one in Shikarpur district and one in Karachi’s Keamari district. “Each case represents a child affected by polio, a crippling disease with life-altering consequences,” he said.
When asked about the progress and challenges in the fight against polio, the chief minister noted that significant progress in reducing polio cases had been achieved through the efforts of healthcare workers, volunteers, and community support. However, the persistence of the virus underscores 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 to protect our children from polio and ensure no child is left behind,” CM Murad urged. He expressed his gratitude to frontline workers, volunteers, and everyone involved in the campaign, acknowledging their dedication as the backbone of the fight against polio.
“Together, we can achieve freedom from polio. May Almighty Allah guide us in protecting our children and our nation,” he concluded. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Paediatric Association has extended its support to the special drive. “The association fully supports this campaign and urges 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 administered using jet injectors, which are needle-free, so the child will not feel any pain. We urge parents to complete their children’s routine vaccinations and cooperate with polio teams every time they visit,” the statement added.
