ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) – The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has initiated a sub-national polio vaccination campaign across 79 high-risk districts in Pakistan as part of renewed efforts to eliminate the disease. The initiative focuses on preventing the spread of poliovirus and safeguarding young children from lifelong disability.
Scheduled from May 18 to May 24, the campaign aims to vaccinate nearly 19 million children under five years of age using the oral polio vaccine. Over 160,000 trained health workers are participating, moving door-to-door to ensure every eligible child is reached.
Pakistan launches nationwide anti-polio campaign May 18
The drive is being conducted simultaneously in Pakistan and Afghanistan, highlighting stronger cross-border cooperation in tackling one of the last remaining regions where polio remains endemic. This coordinated effort is seen as crucial for stopping virus transmission.
Provincial targets include millions of children across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan, along with over 460,000 children in Islamabad. Authorities emphasize that consistent nationwide coverage is essential to close immunity gaps.
Health officials noted that Pakistan has made significant progress since the 1990s, when tens of thousands of cases were reported annually. Recent years show a sharp decline, with 31 cases recorded in 2025 and only three so far in 2026, though the virus still persists in certain areas.
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