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