45 million children under five will be vaccinated from February 2 to 8 in 159 districts across the country
Campaign against polio. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) on Monday launched the first polio vaccination drive of 2026 to vaccinate 45 million children under five years of age.
The week-long campaign will run from February 2 to 8 in 159 districts across the country.
The Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, inaugurated the campaign at CDA Rawal Town Dispensary in Islamabad along with Canadian High Commissioner Tarik Ali Khan, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Pakistan, Dr Luo Dapeng, and UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Pernille Ironside, and district government authorities.
Since the launch of polio eradication campaigns in 1994, polio cases have been reduced by 99.8%, from around 20,000 cases per year to 31 cases reported for 2025.
Progress has been made thanks to sustained door-to-door vaccination campaigns, strong government leadership and the dedication of more than 400,000 courageous frontline health workers, mobilized across the country for each campaign.
The polio vaccine, prequalified by WHO, is safe and effective and has been used in more than 190 countries to eradicate polio. It is imperative that every child under the age of five receives two drops of oral polio vaccine during each campaign.
In his speech, Farooq said Pakistan was in the final stage of polio eradication and the ongoing campaign came at a critical time as the polio program aimed to take a decisive step towards interrupting transmission this year.
“At this point, every campaign and every child counts. Every child vaccinated strengthens their protection and helps prevent the virus from spreading further,” she said, adding: “I urge everyone to do their part. Parents and guardians, community leaders, influencers, educators and media, please continue to support immunization and ensure that all children are immunized against polio and all other essential vaccines to keep them safe.”
The high government delegation and polio eradication partners interacted with the polio teams and vaccinators of the health facility before officially launching the national campaign by administering polio drops to children.
The delegates also visited Islamabad Model School for Girls Rawal Town G-5 to answer questions from students regarding health and importance of vaccination. At the school, the delegation also observed how vaccinators administered polio drops to children under five.
As Pakistan enters the final phase of polio eradication, the government, donors and polio eradication partners have reaffirmed their resolve to remain focused, united and resolute to achieve a polio-free Pakistan.
