Islamabad (GNP): Pakistan’s National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication has launched a polio vaccination campaign in 79 high-risk districts nationwide.
The drive was launched as part of intensified national efforts to stop poliovirus transmission and protect millions of children from lifelong paralysis.
Running from 18–24 May, the campaign aims to vaccinate approximately 19 million children under the age of five through administration of the safe and effective oral polio vaccine.
More than 160,000 trained frontline workers will fan out across the country, going door-to-door to ensure every eligible child receives lifesaving protection.
The campaign is being implemented simultaneously in Pakistan and Afghanistan, reflecting strengthened cross-border coordination and a shared commitment to ending poliovirus transmission in one of the world’s last remaining endemic regions.
Provincial coverage includes 10 districts in Punjab, where 6.19 million children will be vaccinated, 20 districts in Sindh, targeting 5.79 million children, 23 districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reaching 4.61 million children, and 25 districts in Balochistan, where 1.99 million children will receive polio drops. In Islamabad, more than 460,000 children are also being targeted during the campaign.
Pakistan’s fight against polio has come a long way. When the national eradication effort began in 1994, the country reported more than 20,000 cases annually. Through decades of sustained vaccination campaigns, strengthened surveillance systems and coordinated public health action, the country has dramatically reduced the burden of disease.
The progress continues to show results. Pakistan recorded 31 cases in 2025, while only three confirmed cases have been reported so far in 2026 – a significant decline that reflects the country’s momentum toward eradication.
However, health authorities warn that the virus continues to circulate silently in some areas, making sustained vaccination efforts essential.
“Pakistan stands at a decisive moment in its journey toward a polio-free future,” the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) said. “While progress has been encouraging, every missed child remains an opportunity for the virus to survive and spread.”
Health authorities emphasized that repeated vaccination remains critical because each dose strengthens a child’s immunity and helps stop transmission, particularly in high-risk and mobile populations.
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The Government of Pakistan acknowledged the continued support of Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners, including WHO, UNICEF, CDC, Rotary International and the Gates Foundation, alongside provincial governments, frontline workers, security personnel, community leaders and local partners whose collective efforts remain central to reaching every child.
Parents and caregivers have been urged to welcome vaccination teams into their homes and ensure all children under five receive polio drops during the campaign.
The National Emergency Operations Centre reaffirmed its commitment to achieving a polio-free Pakistan through sustained action, stronger outreach and collective responsibility.
