85% of Polio Vaccination Refusals in Karachi, Says Health Minister Mustafa Kamal

On April 13, 2025, Pakistan’s Health Minister Mustafa Kamal highlighted a major hurdle in the national drive to eradicate polio by revealing that 85% of the country’s vaccination refusals are coming from Karachi. He attributed the high refusal rate to widespread misinformation, distrust, and deep-seated cultural factors that have fueled community resistance toward the polio campaign. The minister stressed the urgent need for targeted public health interventions, enhanced community engagement, and robust communication strategies in Karachi to overcome these challenges. Failure to address these issues effectively could jeopardize the overall progress toward eliminating polio from Pakistan.