KARACHI: The anti-polio campaign in Karachi encountered a 27% refusal rate on its first day, impacting 40 of the 85 high-risk union committees targeted, as reported on Friday.
The Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) for Polio held a session for journalists to discuss the ongoing challenges in Pakistan’s fight against polio, noting that internal issues now pose a greater threat than the situation in neighboring Afghanistan, where conditions have improved.
Irshad Sodhar, EOC Coordinator, explained that despite the campaign’s aim, 27% of families refused vaccination on the first day. Coverage reached 62% in the 40 UCs.
Of the children who missed out, 18% were not at home, while high refusal rates were largely attributed to a lack of awareness about the new needle-free jet injectors used for vaccination.
This campaign marks the first large-scale use of needle-free jet injectors for administering fractional doses of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (f-IPV), a method previously used on a limited scale in Karachi in 2019.
Experts highlighted that the f-IPV single dose has proven effective, with two doses offering even higher immunity levels. When combined with oral polio vaccine (OPV), it enhances gut immunity and helps curb viral transmission within communities.
Dr. Khalid Shafi from the Pakistan Paediatric Association and Dr. Ali Faisal Saleem, senior paediatrician at Aga Khan University Hospital, expressed concern over the country’s polio situation, citing 14 confirmed cases and numerous positive environmental samples this year. They stressed that neglecting the issue could lead to a major outbreak, which would be challenging to manage.
Both experts emphasized the importance of a holistic approach, linking polio prevention with improvements in child-mother nutrition, breastfeeding, hygiene practices, and family planning.
Clean drinking water was highlighted as a fundamental step in preventing infectious diseases, complemented by vaccination efforts.
National Coordinator Anwarul Haq and technical focal person Dr. Ahmed Ali Sheikh also contributed to the discussion.
