Karachi tops in polio vaccine refusals, reveals Mustafa Kamal

KARACHI: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has revealed that Karachi has the highest proportion of refusals to administer polio vaccination.

Addressing a press conference, the minister stated that Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two countries where the poliovirus still exists. He expressed optimism that, “Insha’Allah, Pakistan will soon be free of polio.”

Mustafa Kamal announced that a nationwide anti-polio campaign will commence on September 1, except in Punjab where, due to the prevailing flood situation, the drive will begin on September 10.

He further disclosed that poliovirus has been detected in sewage samples from 127 districts across the country.

Stressing that vaccination is the only effective protection against the disease, the minister said that out of 26 polio cases reported this year, 16 emerged from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), including 13 cases from southern KP.

Regarding Karachi, he confirmed the presence of poliovirus in the city’s sewage samples and highlighted that the highest rate of vaccine refusals is recorded in Karachi.

He appealed to parents to ensure their children receive polio drops without fail.