KARACHI: The Sindh government formally launched the Measles-Rubella (MR) and Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) Campaign 2025 at the Ida Rieu Schools & Colleges for the Blind & Deaf in Karachi. The inauguration was led by Sindh Minister for Health and Population Welfare Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, accompanied by provincial ministers, senior officials, and representatives of UNICEF, WHO, Gavi, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Azra Pechuho urged parents across Sindh to ensure that all eligible children receive vaccination during the campaign from 17 to 29 November 2025. She emphasised that measles, rubella and polio remain dangerous diseases, and vaccination is the only effective protection.
She appealed to parents to ignore rumours, ensure routine immunisation, and visit the nearest centre for timely vaccination. She expressed gratitude to all partner organisations, health workers, the media, and the special children of Ida Rieu for their support on the opening day.
According to the Health Department, more than 8.2 million children aged 6 to 59 months across 30 districts will be vaccinated against measles and rubella, while over 8.4 million children under the age of five in 23 high-risk districts will receive oral polio drops. Officials said extensive preparations had been made to ensure coverage across schools, health facilities, and outreach sites.
UNICEF representative Dr Prem Bahadur Chand said the global Measles-Rubella campaign was progressing successfully and reaffirmed the organisation’s support for Sindh’s efforts. He noted that World Children’s Day serves as a reminder of the shared responsibility to protect every child from vaccine-preventable diseases.
The provincial leadership reiterated its commitment to eliminating measles and rubella and eradicating polio from Sindh, calling on communities to cooperate with vaccination teams to make the campaign a success.
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