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 nationwide polio vaccination campaign scheduled to begin on April 13 and ensure that every child was protected from the disease.
The campaign aims to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five across 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 coming phase representing the final stretch where it was important to reach every child.
Read: ‘Pakistan closer than ever to eradicating polio’
From 13 to 19 April, more than 200,000 frontline health workers will make door-to-door visits across urban centers as well as remote communities. During the drive, children will be given polio drops along with vitamin A supplements to support immunity and healthy growth.
She highlighted measurable progress, noting that while 31 cases of polio were reported nationwide by 2025, only one case was recorded so far this year. However, she warned that the threat of the disease continued.
She emphasized the need for consistency and urged parents and caregivers to ensure that their children receive vaccination during each campaign, along with routine vaccination.
The campaign will also be conducted in coordination with Afghanistan, reflecting a shared commitment to disrupting cross-border transmission and closing remaining gaps.
Acknowledging the contribution of frontline workers, Aseefa said their continued efforts remained central to reaching every household.
Calling for a collective decision, she stressed that ending polio was now within reach and depended on the participation of parents, families, communities and institutions alike, adding that no child should be left behind.
During the drive, children will receive polio drops along with vitamin A supplements.
Since 1994, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8%, from an estimated 20,000 cases in the early 1990s to 31 cases in 2025, thanks to a widespread vaccination effort.
By 2025, PEI conducted five nationwide campaigns along with targeted vaccination rounds and routine immunization integration.
Also read: First wild polio case of 2026 confirmed in Sindh
While overall detection has decreased compared to 2024, virus circulation continues in high-risk districts of Sindh and southern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, underscoring the need for continued, targeted vaccination campaigns.
Polio is a highly contagious disease that can cause lifelong paralysis and death, but is preventable through safe and effective vaccines used in 195 countries, including all Muslim-majority nations.
Wild poliovirus is the naturally occurring form of poliovirus that spreads from person to person, mainly through contaminated food, water or contact with infected individuals. It can attack the nervous system and in severe cases cause permanent paralysis or death. A wild polio case refers to an infection caused by this naturally circulating virus, as opposed to rare cases associated with vaccine-derived strains.
