KARACHI: The first phase of Karachi's combined fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fIPV) and Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) campaign has successfully achieved over 95% coverage in 40 high-risk and super high-risk Union Councils (UCs), announces the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI).
"Our teams have successfully vaccinated over 95pc of children in these initial 40 UCs during the first phase of the fIPV campaign, which began on August 15, 2025. The second phase of the drive, aiming to vaccinate an additional half a million children across 45 UCs, will commence tomorrow (Wednesday)," says Sindh Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Coordinator Irshad Ali Sodhar.
EOC data revealed that by the end of the campaign’s fifth day, 509,869 out of 537,638 eligible children received the fractional dose of the polio vaccine via jet injectors, meeting the 95pc target. Additionally, 540,093 out of 569,835 children under five received OPV drops.
"The highest fIPV acceptance rate was recorded in Orangi Town, where 105pc of the target was achieved with jet injectors, and 100pc of children received OPV drops. In Karachi West, 100pc of eligible children received fIPV, and 90pc received OPV drops," Sodhar said.
He said despite some initial resistance to the fIPV on the campaign’s first day, the situation improved significantly. Motivated team leaders and volunteers worked tirelessly to ensure every child in the targeted areas was vaccinated, he added.
The campaign’s progress has been closely monitored by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho, and other officials.
"Thanks to rigorous monitoring and the dedication of our teams, vaccine acceptance increased significantly by the end of the fifth day of the 10-day fIPV drive. By the end of the first phase, 95pc of children in the initial 40 UCs of Karachi were vaccinated," Sodhar said.
As per the EOC data, in Karachi South’s UCs, 99pc of children received fIPV and 113pc received OPV. In Karachi Central’s UCs, 96pc of children received fIPV and 104pc received OPV drops. In Malir’s UCs, 96pc and 97pc of children were administered fIPV and OPV, respectively. In District East’s UCs, 93pc and 96pc of children received IPV and OPV drops, while in Keamari, 84pc and 89pc of children received fIPV and OPV drops.
Mr Sodhar urged parents to ensure their children receive both the oral and injectable polio vaccines, stressing that the painless jet injectors used for administering fIPV offer lifelong immunity to children.