Pakistan, June 16 -- KARACHI - Health officials have raised concern as thousands of parents in Karachi continue to refuse polio vaccination for their children, leading to a sharp rise in refusal cases. According to the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), 37,711 parents rejected polio vaccination during the May 2025 campaign. This marks a slight increase from April, when 37,360 parents declined the vaccine for their children.

District-wise data shows that the highest number of refusals came from Keamari with 17,011 cases, followed by East with 9,433, Central with 7,141, Malir with 4,606, Korangi with 3,453, South with 3,145, and West with 2,922 refusals.

Officials say the ongoing refusal to participate in anti-polio drives poses a serious ...