Pakistan launches nationwide anti-polio campaign May 18

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) – Pakistan is set to launch a nationwide anti-polio vaccination campaign from May 18 to 24, targeting 79 selected districts with the aim of immunizing nearly 19 million children, according to officials.

The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) stated that the campaign will be conducted simultaneously in Pakistan and Afghanistan as part of coordinated regional efforts to eliminate polio.

Pakistan Launches Campaign to Vaccinate Millions Against Polio

In Punjab, around 6.19 million children in 10 districts will receive polio drops, while in Sindh, the campaign will cover approximately 5.79 million children across 20 districts. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, vaccination teams aim to reach 4.61 million children in 23 districts, and in Balochistan, about 1.99 million children in 25 districts will be administered the vaccine. In Islamabad, nearly 450,000 children are expected to be vaccinated.

Authorities emphasized that eradicating polio is a shared national responsibility and urged parents to fully cooperate with vaccination teams to ensure no child is left unprotected.

The NEOC also appealed to families to welcome health workers during the drive and ensure that all eligible children receive life-saving polio drops.