Refusal to anti-polio vaccine will not be tolerated: CM

Urges parents to cooperate with govt in efforts to eliminate virus

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has expressed strong disappointment over the cases where parents are refusing polio vaccination during the ongoing anti-polio drive. He has urged parents to cooperate with the government in its efforts to eliminate polio from the country.

The chief minister instructed the health department to enhance the effectiveness of the campaign. "I will not tolerate any refusal by parents," he said, adding that he has given strict orders to the district administration and police to handle the refusal cases.

He noted, "Countries around the world, including underdeveloped ones, have eradicated polio. Pakistan and Afghanistan still continue to struggle with the virus due to refusals to administer polio drops. We will not permit parents to refuse the polio drops."

Acknowledging that there are sensitive issues, prejudices, and misunderstandings about polio vaccination, the CM assured parents that the Sindh government is committed to the well-being of children and urged them to trust in the government's efforts.

"We aim for a polio-free Pakistan," the chief minister added.

A 10-day anti-polio campaign was launched on August 14 under the theme, "Get Rid of Polio." A special campaign is targeting 85 union councils in the city, aiming to administer oral polio vaccine drops to over 1.1 million children under five years of age.

Additionally, 1,037,000 children aged four months to five years will receive fractional inactivated polio vaccine (f-IPV) shots.

The chief minister has urged the administration and health department to ensure the campaign's success and meet the target.