Key Takeaways
- Sindh has reduced its polio cases from 23 in 2024 to one in 2026.
- Environmental surveillance shows a significant reduction in virus circulation.
- Preparations are underway for the September 21-27 Sub-National Immunisation Days campaign.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has reviewed the province's progress in fighting polio, noting a significant reduction in cases from 23 in 2024 to just one in 2026. The progress reflects the hard work of health workers, district administrations, and partner organizations.
Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho reported that Pakistan’s wild poliovirus cases have declined sharply from 74 in 2024 to 31 in 2025 and only three so far in 2026. Sindh has recorded a single case this year, reported from Sujawal on February 10.
Environmental surveillance data indicates a significant reduction in virus circulation. The number of positive environmental surveillance sites has fallen from a peak of 29 in March 2025 to only five in August 2026. Outside Karachi, all 14 surveillance sites are currently negative, while six of Karachi’s 15 sites remain positive.
The absence of confirmed polio cases in Karachi during the 2025 high-transmission season, despite some positive environmental samples, reflects stronger population immunity achieved through routine immunisation and repeated vaccination campaigns.
Special booster-dose campaigns conducted during 2026 have vaccinated nearly three million oral polio vaccine (OPV) doses and 2.89 million booster doses in Karachi. Campaigns in other divisions delivered approximately 2.7 million OPV doses and 2.58 million booster doses.
Expanded-age vaccination strategies helped reach older children through schools and community-based interventions. After the July 2026 Sub-National Immunisation Days (SNIDs) campaign, a special 10-day follow-up drive was launched to vaccinate children who had initially been missed. Of 146,149 missed children, more than 23,500 were subsequently vaccinated.
Preparations are underway for the September 21-27 SNIDs campaign, during which nearly 10 million children under five will be vaccinated across Sindh. The campaign will cover 23 full districts and selected union councils in seven partial districts, with more than 80,000 frontline workers participating.
Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah observed that sustained immunisation efforts have helped prevent clinical cases even where environmental surveillance continues to detect virus circulation. The task force is committed to ensuring every child is protected and the virus is eliminated from every district.
The progress achieved by Sindh is encouraging and reflects the hard work of our health workers, district administrations and partner organisations, but our mission will only be complete when every child is protected, and the virus is eliminated from every district.
Syed Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Chief Minister
