In this first phase, 562,163 children under the age of five will receive the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)
KARACHI. The Sindh Government, in collaboration with its partners, has launched a targeted polio vaccination campaign. The first phase, which begins today (Saturday) will focus on 27 high-risk union councils in Karachi. The campaign aims to strengthen children’s immunity and curb the transmission of the polio virus.
In this first phase, 562,163 children under the age of five will receive the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), while 521,953 children aged four months to under five years will receive the Fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fIPV) using painless jet injector technology.
As Pakistan’s largest and most densely populated city, Karachi remains a critical battleground in the fight against polio. The city’s frequent population movement contributes to the persistent presence of the polio virus in environmental samples. Despite repeated vaccination efforts, transmission risks remain high, making targeted campaigns essential to closing immunity gaps and protecting children from lifelong paralysis.
The use of painless jet injector technology for fIPV administration ensures a needle-free, stress-free experience for children. The combination of OPV and fIPV further strengthens immunity, offering additional protection in areas where the virus continues to circulate. Recently, in August 2024, a successful f-IPV campaign was conducted in the megalopolis.
News published in the Express Tribune on 21th February 2025