Islamabad, June 29, 2025: Polio vaccine refusal in Pakistan continues to pose a major threat as over 60,000 cases were reported during the national anti-polio drive held from April 21 to 27, 2025.
According to official sources, a total of 60,906 refusal cases surfaced during the campaign, with the highest numbers reported in Sindh. Out of these, more than 37,000 cases emerged from Karachi alone, raising alarms among health authorities.
Balochistan followed with over 3,500 refusal cases, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reported a 0.4% refusal rate. Cases of parental resistance to the vaccine were also recorded in Punjab and Islamabad.
This widespread vaccine hesitancy is seriously hindering Pakistan’s efforts to eliminate the crippling disease.
In a troubling development, Pakistan confirmed another new polio case, pushing the total to 13 cases in 2025. The latest infection was detected in the Ama Khel Union Council of Tank district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as confirmed by the National Institute of Health (NIH).
Polio is a highly infectious disease that causes irreversible paralysis, mostly in children under five. While there is no cure, multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine can ensure strong immunity.
The Pakistan Polio Program conducts repeated door-to-door vaccination campaigns, while the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) offers vaccines against 12 childhood diseases free of charge.
Authorities urge parents to ensure timely vaccination of all children under five to protect them from polio and support the country’s eradication mission.
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