First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari. Photo: Archive
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 all children are protected from the disease.
The campaign aims to vaccinate more than 45 million children under five years of age 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, and that the next phase represented the final stretch in which reaching all children was essential.
Read: “Pakistan 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 and remote communities. During the campaign, children will be given anti-polio drops along with vitamin A supplements to support immunity and healthy growth.
He highlighted measurable progress, noting that while 31 cases of polio were reported nationwide in 2025, only one case has been recorded so far this year. However, he warned that the threat of the disease persists.
He stressed the need for consistency and urged parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive the vaccine during each campaign, along with 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 and said their continued efforts remained critical in reaching every home.
Calling for a collective resolution, he stressed that ending polio was now within our reach and depended on the participation of parents, families, communities and institutions alike, adding that no child should be left behind.
During the campaign, children will receive anti-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 widespread vaccination efforts.
In 2025, PEI carried out five nationwide campaigns along with targeted vaccination rounds and the integration of routine immunization.
Read also: First wild polio case of 2026 confirmed in Sindh
While overall detections have decreased compared to 2024, virus circulation 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 it can be prevented by safe and effective vaccines used in 195 countries, including all Muslim-majority nations.
Wild poliovirus is the natural form of poliovirus that is transmitted from person to person, mainly through contaminated food and water or by contact with infected people. It can attack the nervous system and, in severe cases, cause permanent paralysis or death. A case of wild polio refers to an infection caused by this naturally circulating virus, as opposed to rare cases involving vaccine-derived strains.
