'City nearing polio elimination'

Booster campaign to begin in 89 high-risk UCs from May 12

KARACHI:

The Sindh Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) on Friday announced the launch of a polio booster dose campaign across 89 high-risk union councils in Karachi from May 12 to 25, amid renewed efforts to eliminate the virus from the city.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Karachi Press Club, Sindh EOC Coordinator Sheheryar Memon said Karachi was moving closer to polio eradication, though misinformation and rumours surrounding vaccines continued to pose one of the biggest challenges to the campaign.

"Karachi is moving towards polio eradication, but misinformation and rumours remain among the biggest challenges in our fight against the virus," he said.

The briefing was attended by members of the Sindh Polio Eradication Programme, health experts, pediatricians, media representatives and office bearers of the Karachi Press Club.

To reinforce public confidence in the vaccine, Sheheryar Memon and several journalists participating in the session received polio booster doses during the event.

Under the campaign, children up to 10 years of age in selected high-risk areas will be administered booster doses aimed at strengthening immunity and interrupting poliovirus transmission.

Highlighting recent progress, Memon said vaccination coverage in Sindh had improved significantly, while vaccine refusals among parents were gradually declining due to continued awareness campaigns and community engagement.

"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 added.