Sindh’s Chief Minister Warns Against Refusals in Anti-Polio Drive

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah of Sindh, Pakistan, has issued a stern warning to parents refusing to vaccinate their children during the ongoing anti-polio campaign. Highlighting a 27% refusal rate in high-risk areas, Shah emphasized strict legal actions against non-compliant guardians to ensure the vaccination of 1.1 million children.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah of Sindh, Pakistan, issued a stern warning on Saturday to parents and guardians refusing to vaccinate their children in the ongoing anti-polio drive, deeming their actions unacceptable.

The first day of the campaign saw a 27% refusal rate in 40 of the 85 high-risk union councils, which Shah described as intolerable.

Shah emphasized, "We will not tolerate this. The plan is to vaccinate some 1.1 million children in this drive, and we will not allow anyone to leave any infant at the risk of polio."

Health authorities and police have been instructed to act against non-compliant parents within the legal framework finalised by the law department.

The three-day polio drive started on Saturday aims to eradicate the virus in Sindh. Pakistan is one of the few countries still reporting poliovirus cases.

Irshad Sodhar, EOC Coordinator for Polio, explained the high refusal rate was due to illiteracy, lack of parental awareness about new vaccination methods, and misinformation spread by some religious clerics.

Pakistan has reported 14 confirmed cases and numerous positive environmental samples of poliovirus this year.

Anti-polio vaccine workers and their police escorts have faced attacks by religious extremists in certain areas, including Karachi.

Senior paediatrician Ali Faisal Saleem stressed that Pakistan could not afford negligence at this critical time, warning of a potential major polio outbreak.

(With inputs from agencies.)