Sindh Achieves 99% Household Coverage in Latest Polio Vaccination Campaign
Adnan Athar
KARACHI – Sindh has successfully concluded its final polio vaccination campaign of the year, achieving a landmark 99% household coverage across the province. This achievement marks a critical milestone in the provincial effort to protect the next generation from the poliovirus and close immunity gaps.
By the Numbers: Reaching Every Child
During the intensive week-long drive, which integrated house-to-house visits and strategic transit point interventions, a total of 10,579,243 children were vaccinated.
* House-to-House: Approximately 8.9 million children were reached directly at their doorsteps by dedicated frontline teams.
* Transit Points: 458,921 children were vaccinated at high-traffic locations, including markets and transport hubs, ensuring that mobile and traveling populations were not left behind.
Overcoming Challenges through Community Trust
While overall coverage remained exceptionally high, the programme recorded 32,947 refusal cases. In response, specialized teams utilized targeted social mobilization and counseling to address parental concerns. These efforts emphasize the programme’s shift toward building long-term community trust and reinforcing the safety and necessity of the vaccine.
Leadership and Oversight
Provincial leadership and Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) officials monitored the campaign’s implementation in real-time. Field visits and data review meetings allowed for prompt corrective actions to address operational gaps, ensuring the quality and accuracy of the reported data.
"The success of this campaign is a testament to the tireless dedication of thousands of frontline workers, social mobilizers, and supervisors who worked under challenging conditions to reach every child," stated the EOC Sindh.
A Call to Collective Action
The EOC Sindh reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining this momentum through high-quality campaigns and strengthened coordination with district administrations. Parents, caregivers, and community influencers are urged to continue their support to ensure that Sindh remains a stronghold in Pakistan’s journey toward a polio-free future.
