Karachi Leadership Reaffirms Commitment to a Polio-Free Sindh Ahead of February Campaign
Karachi Leadership Reaffirms Commitment to a Polio-Free Sindh Ahead of February Campaign
January 31, 2026
Karachi, Sindh – A high-level press briefing was convened today at the Karachi Commissioner’s Office to reaffirm Sindh’s commitment to the successful implementation of Pakistan’s first National Polio Vaccination Campaign of 2026, scheduled from 2 to 8 February.
The briefing brought together senior provincial and district leadership, including the EOC Sindh Coordinator, Project Director EPI Sindh, Deputy Commissioners, and representatives from leading private hospitals and schools. Participants reaffirmed the importance of coordinated action across government, health, education, and community institutions to protect every child under five from polio, with a particular focus on Karachi.
Officials highlighted that polio eradication remains a top provincial priority. While Pakistan has made steady progress in reducing cases nationally, Karachi continues to be a critical epidemiological bloc, requiring intensified, context-specific approaches to interrupt poliovirus transmission. Participants emphasised that sustained political ownership, strong district leadership, and collective responsibility across sectors are essential to achieving a polio-free Sindh.
Current Polio Situation
Sindh has reported 0 polio cases so far in 2026, following 23 cases in 2024 and 9 cases in 2025, with Karachi remaining a priority area due to ongoing transmission risks identified through surveillance and environmental sampling.
Officials noted that continued vigilance is essential, even as case numbers decline, as a single missed child can sustain transmission.
February 2026 Polio Vaccination Campaign
The February campaign will be conducted from 2 to 8 February 2026, aiming to vaccinate all children under five across Sindh.
Target population: 2.14 million House Holds
Approach: Door-to-door administration of oral polio vaccine
Workforce: 25,000 polio workers, supported by 7000 security personnel
Oversight: Deputy Commissioners will oversee campaign implementation at Union Council level to ensure quality and accountability
The campaign will focus on closing remaining immunity gaps, particularly in high-risk urban and peri-urban areas of Karachi.
Karachi Block: Strengthening Campaign Quality
An external audit commissioned to assess persistent virus transmission in the Karachi Block, with findings reported in November 2025, concluded that Karachi requires tailored, context-specific solutions and a unified “one-team” approach. The audit emphasised the need for decision-grade campaign systems and improved reach to all missed children.
In response, the programme has prioritised quality-focused interventions to strengthen campaign implementation in Karachi:
Strong Leadership & Oversight
– Deputy and Assistant Commissioners actively supervising field teams
– Flexible deployment of teams to align with community, school, and madrasah schedules
– Focus on ensuring no child is missed during the campaign
Capacity & Coordination
– Strengthened training and support for frontline workers
– Close collaboration with schools, hospitals, and private health facilities
Community Engagement & Public Confidence
– Single-knock strategy to maximise reach to children
– Partnerships with media and institutions to raise awareness and encourage vaccination
Integrated Approach
– Coordination between EPI, polio teams, and administrative leadership to deliver a one-team response for Karachi
The briefing concluded with a collective reaffirmation of commitment to ensuring that no child in Karachi is missed during the February campaign. Officials expressed appreciation for the dedication of frontline health workers and the continued support of all partners working toward a polio-free Karachi, a polio-free Sindh, and a polio-free Pakistan.