In a landmark move, the Sindh government has begun legal action against parents refusing to vaccinate their children, penalising 480 parents in Sukkur district under the Sindh Immunisation and Epidemics Control Act 2023.
The law, passed on August 4, 2023, empowers district deputy commissioners to impose fines or jail terms on offenders. Parents who fail to comply may face up to one month in prison or fines ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs100,000.
According to Additional Director Dr. Sohail Sheikh, Sukkur authorities enforced the penalties after repeated non-compliance. He said the crackdown will expand to other districts, including Karachi, to curb vaccine refusal and misinformation.
The law also targets individuals spreading anti-vaccination propaganda on social media, warning of strict legal consequences. Dr. Sheikh emphasized that the provincial government aims to protect children from preventable diseases through full vaccination coverage and stricter enforcement.