KARACHI: A concerning health report has revealed that dozens of children died from measles, diphtheria and tetanus across Sindh during the first eight months of 2026. The figures highlight continuing challenges in protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases.
According to data obtained from the Sindh Health Department and the World Health Organization (WHO), 3,123 confirmed measles cases were reported between January 4 and August 8, 2026. During the same period, measles claimed the lives of 63 children, while 20 children died from diphtheria and five from tetanus.
The data shows that 57 confirmed cases of diphtheria and 20 cases of tetanus were reported during the eight-month period. Meanwhile, authorities recorded 8,032 suspected measles cases across the province, of which 3,123 were subsequently confirmed.
Measles outbreaks were also confirmed in 15 districts of Sindh, with a total of 53 outbreaks reported during the period. The figures have raised concerns over gaps in routine immunization and the effectiveness of disease-prevention efforts in several parts of the province.
Khairpur recorded the highest number of child deaths, followed by Dadu and Larkana. Karachi East, Sukkur and Thatta ranked third, while Badin and Shikarpur ranked fourth. Matiari was listed fifth in terms of reported child deaths.
One of the most concerning findings is that 55% of children with confirmed measles had not received even a single dose of the measles vaccine, despite being nine months of age or older. The finding points to significant gaps in reaching children who remain unvaccinated.
The figures have also raised questions about claims of 100% performance by District Health Officers during measles vaccination campaigns. The report suggests that an independent assessment of vaccination coverage and campaign performance may be necessary to determine whether reported coverage accurately reflects the situation on the ground.
