Nearly 38,000 parents in Karachi refused polio vaccination in May: EOC

• Polio eradication requires ongoing support from parents, says EOC.
• District Central had 7,141 refusals, while Kemari saw 7,111 in May: EOC
• Refusal rate during anti-polio campaign remains constant challenge.

KARACHI: The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) reported on Monday that vaccination refusal rate was on the rise in Karachi, with at least 37,711 parents turning down polio vaccine in the month of May. 

This marks an increase in refusal cases as parents in the port city continue to decline vaccinating their children against polio.

In May, the District East recorded the highest number of refusals, with 9,433 parents opting out. The District Central had 7,141 refusals, while Kemari saw 7,111 parents refusing the vaccine.

Additionally, at least 3,453 parents in District Korangi and 4,606 in District Malir refused vaccination. The EOC also noted that 3,145 parents from the District South and 2,922 from the District West declined vaccination in May.

In April, 37,360 parents refused the anti-polio vaccination, according to the EOC. 

The centre stated, "The refusal rate during the anti-polio campaign remains a constant challenge. Polio eradication requires ongoing support from parents." 

Special attention is being given to union councils that are at risk for polio. Misunderstandings and a lack of awareness are identified as the main reasons for vaccine refusal.

Last month, the Pakistan Polio Programme officially launched its third National Immunisation Days (NIDs) campaign in an effort to make Pakistan a polio-free nation.

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus, primarily affecting children under the age of five. It can invade the nervous system, leading to paralysis or even death. Although there is no cure for polio, vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from this disease.