57 Children Die of Measles in Sindh This Year, Experts Urge Parents to Vaccinate
October 29, 2025
KARACHI: Health experts have expressed serious concern over the rising number of measles cases across Sindh, particularly in Karachi, as the highly contagious viral disease has claimed at least 57 children’s lives so far this year. More than 4,200 confirmed cases have been reported in 73 outbreaks across the province.
The figures were shared during a media briefing jointly organized by the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Sindh and UNICEF ahead of the upcoming 12-day Measles-Rubella (MR) and Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) campaign starting November 19. The drive aims to vaccinate 8.2 million children for MR and 8.4 million for OPV across Sindh.
Pakistan Among Countries with Highest Measles Cases
Experts revealed that Pakistan has recorded the second-highest number of measles cases in the world this year, after Yemen — over 12,000 cases and 125 deaths. They warned that the situation could worsen if parents fail to cooperate with vaccination teams.
“Every child has the right to protection from vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Dr. Khalid Shafi from the Pakistan Paediatric Association (PPA). “Unfortunately, many parents neglect immunisation, which can have deadly consequences.”
He added that measles can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, seizures, and long-term neurological damage. “It’s tragic that children still suffer from a disease that can be 100% prevented with a free vaccine,” he said.
Ongoing Vaccination Efforts in Sindh
Dr. Sohair Raza Sheikh, Additional Project Director at EPI Sindh, shared that the immunisation programme has expanded significantly since its establishment in 1978. “Our teams cover 1,190 union councils across Sindh. We’ve raised the immunisation rate for zero-dose children from 76% to 81% over the last four campaigns,” he said.
He also noted that measles deaths have dropped from 132 in 2024 to 57 in 2025, while outbreaks have declined by 60%. Over 557,000 children who missed vaccinations during the pandemic have since been covered.
Child immunisation, he stressed, is mandatory by law under the Sindh Immunisation and Epidemics Control Act 2023, with penalties for refusal or obstruction.
Global and Local Health Agencies Call for Action
Dr. Ramesh Kumar, WHO representative, highlighted that rubella remains a leading cause of vaccine-preventable birth defects. The upcoming campaign will target children aged 6 months to 5 years across all 30 districts of Sindh, with special focus on measles prevention.
He added that only 70% of parents ensure their children receive routine immunisations — leaving 30% of children unprotected.
Experts from EPI Sindh, UNICEF, and the National Institute of Child Health urged parents to cooperate with vaccination teams and ensure timely immunisation, calling it the most effective step to protect children from preventable deaths and long-term illness.
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The upcoming Measles-Rubella and Polio campaign is part of Pakistan’s broader commitment to achieving universal child immunisation and safeguarding future generations from preventable diseases.
