At least 3,000 parents in Balochistan refused polio vaccination for their children during a province-wide immunization campaign, officials from the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) confirmed on Sunday.
The seven-day anti-polio drive, held across Balochistan from October 13 to 19, aimed to vaccinate 2.66 million children against the crippling disease. However, despite intensive outreach, 3,000 parents in Balochistan refused polio vaccination, raising concerns among health officials about the risks of virus resurgence.
EOC officials said no new polio case has been reported in Balochistan so far this year, a sign of steady progress toward eradication.
Special Secretary Health Shahak Baloch praised the dedication of health workers, saying that “from the deserts of Chagai to the mountains of Zhob, our teams continue to reach every child despite harsh conditions.”
He noted that this progress was possible due to the Balochistan government’s health policy and support from partner organizations. However, the polio virus remains present in Lasbela and Chaman districts, where intensified vaccination efforts are underway.
