Islamabad, October 1, 2024 – As Pakistan reports two more polio cases, bringing the year’s tally to 26, the Polio Programme is urgently appealing to parents to ensure repeated polio vaccination for their children to keep them protected from the paralysis caused by poliovirus.

The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed two children from Karachi East and Sujawal districts of Sindh have been stricken by the crippling effects of polio.

This is the first case of the year from Karachi East and Sujawal where environmental samples have shown the presence of poliovirus in recent months, indicating that it is circulating in communities and posing a terrible risk to the wellbeing of children.

“It is heartbreaking that Pakistani children are still being threatened by a disease that can be easily prevented with the help of an easily available polio vaccine,” said Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ms Ayesha Raza Farooq.

“There is no cure for polio. Once a child is paralyzed, it is forever and irreversible. Fortunately, repeated polio vaccination can keep children protected from the paralytic effects of this horrible disease,” she said. “The decisions we take today are extremely critical to protect the future of our children. I urge all parents, caretakers, teachers, community elders and neighbors to understand the urgency of the situation and take immediate steps to get all children in their care vaccinated immediately.”