First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. Photo: File
First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari on Sunday called on families and communities across Pakistan to fully cooperate with the upcoming national polio vaccination campaign, scheduled to begin on April 13, and ensure that every child is protected against the disease.
The campaign aims to vaccinate more than 45 million children under the age of five in all provinces and regions, as part of the ongoing national effort to eradicate polio.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Aseefa said Pakistan was at a critical juncture in its fight against the virus, adding that years of sustained efforts had brought the country closer to eradication, with the upcoming phase representing the home stretch in which reaching every child was essential.
Read: “Pakistan is closer than ever to eradicating polio”
From April 13 to 19, more than 200,000 frontline health workers will conduct door-to-door visits in urban centers as well as remote communities. During the journey, children will receive polio drops as well as vitamin A supplementation to support their immunity and healthy growth.
She highlighted measurable progress, noting that while 31 cases of polio have been reported nationwide in 2025, only one case has been recorded so far this year. However, she warned that the threat of the disease persisted.
She stressed the need for consistency, urging parents and guardians to ensure that their children are vaccinated during each campaign, in addition to routine immunization.
The campaign will also be carried out in coordination with Afghanistan, reflecting a shared commitment to interrupting cross-border transmission and closing remaining gaps.
Aseefa acknowledged the contribution of frontline workers, saying their continued efforts remained essential to reach every household.
She called for collective determination, emphasizing that polio eradication was now within reach and depended on the participation of parents, families, communities and institutions, adding that no child should be left behind.
During the journey, children will receive polio drops and vitamin A supplements.
Since 1994, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8%, from around 20,000 cases in the early 1990s to 31 cases in 2025, thanks to widespread vaccination efforts.
In 2025, Prince Edward Island conducted five national campaigns as well as rounds of targeted vaccination and the integration of routine immunization.
Read also: First wild polio case of 2026 confirmed in Sindh
Although overall detections have decreased compared to 2024, circulation of the virus persists in high-risk districts of Sindh and southern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting the need for continued and targeted vaccination campaigns.
Polio is a highly contagious disease that can cause lifelong paralysis and death, but is preventable with safe and effective vaccines used in 195 countries, including all Muslim-majority countries.
Wild poliovirus is the naturally occurring form of poliovirus that spreads from person to person, primarily through contaminated food, water, or contact with infected people. It can attack the nervous system and, in severe cases, cause permanent paralysis or even death. A case of wild polio refers to an infection caused by this naturally circulating virus, as opposed to rare cases linked to vaccine-derived strains.
