Sindh faces measles surge as vaccination rates drop

(Web Desk): Health experts say that the low vaccination rate in Sindh is leading to the annual resurgence of various diseases among children, including measles.

In 2025 alone, the province has seen a concerning spike in measles cases, with more than 5,000 children brought to hospitals exhibiting symptoms of the disease in just the first five months of the year.

According to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) of the Health Department, 31 children across Sindh—including Karachi—have died due to measles between January and April 2025.

In Karachi’s seven districts alone, 2,242 children were admitted to hospitals with measles-like symptoms during this four-month period, and the disease was confirmed in 948 of them. In Karachi East District, five children died due to measles.

EPI officials stated that a special vaccination campaign will be launched in October to curb the measles outbreak. During the campaign, 8,226,945 children will be vaccinated against the disease. Measles vaccination is administered in two doses—the first at 9 months of age and the second at 15 months.