Karachi Leads in Polio Vaccine Refusal Rates in Pakistan

Islamabad, April 14 (NationPress) The bustling city of Karachi, which serves as the economic heart of Pakistan and the capital of Sindh, has unfortunately topped the chart of cities in Pakistan opting out of polio vaccinations. Numerous families are refusing to immunize their children with polio drops during the ongoing anti-poliovirus campaigns. These alarming statistics were disclosed by Mustafa Kamal, the Federal Minister of Health, who noted that a staggering 85 percent of families declining the poliovirus vaccine are based in Karachi.

During a press conference held in Karachi, Kamal indicated that there are currently around 44,000 families across Pakistan that have chosen not to vaccinate their children against poliovirus.

"At this time, Pakistan is facing 44,000 refusals, with 34,000 of these cases occurring in Karachi alone. This represents approximately 85 to 90 percent. I must emphasize to everyone in Pakistan that polio is present in Karachi, yet the reason we have not seen widespread effects is due to preventive measures. The virus is rampant; if children remain unvaccinated for any reason and contract the virus, they risk growing up with physical disabilities. Individuals from various backgrounds might advise against vaccination, but I am here to stress that failing to immunize your children is a grave injustice," he stated.

Kamal pointed out that while vaccine refusals pose a significant challenge in Pakistan, Afghanistan, which is running a parallel anti-polio campaign, boasts a much more robust vaccination program.

"For the first time, a synchronized polio vaccination effort is being conducted in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Taliban are actively dispatching teams to vaccinate children door-to-door, and their program is proving to be more effective than ours. Afghanistan is on track to vaccinate its children and could eliminate the virus within a few years. If we remain the only country globally still affected by polio, it would be a dire situation. Please disregard any misinformation and ensure your children receive their polio drops," Kamal appealed.

Pakistan and Afghanistan stand as the last two nations worldwide where the polio virus persists. A significant factor contributing to this situation is the high rate of vaccine refusals among the populace. Additionally, polio health workers have tragically been targeted in attacks by militant organizations that oppose the vaccination initiatives in the country.

Kamal announced an upcoming nationwide polio vaccination drive set to commence on April 21, involving at least 415,000 polio workers. He urged the public to show respect and cooperation towards these individuals.

"Please show them respect as they are working diligently to secure the future of your children," he concluded.