45 million children under five years of age will be vaccinated from February 2 to 8 in 159 districts across the country
Campaign against polio. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) on Monday launched the first polio vaccination campaign of 2026 to inoculate 45 million children under five years of age.
The week-long campaign will be held 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 the CDA Rawal Town clinic in Islamabad, accompanied by Canadian High Commissioner Tarik Ali Khan, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Pakistan, Dr. Luo Dapeng, and UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Pernille Ironside, as well as district government officials.
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 reported cases by 2025.
Progress has been achieved thanks to sustained house-to-house vaccination campaigns, strong government leadership and the dedication of more than 400,000 brave frontline health workers who mobilize across the country for each campaign.
The polio vaccine, prequalified by the WHO, is safe and effective and has been used in more than 190 countries to eradicate polio. It is imperative that every child under five years of age receives two drops of oral polio vaccine during each campaign.
In his speech, Farooq said Pakistan was in the last leg 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 stage, every campaign and every child counts. Every child reached by the vaccine strengthens their protection and helps stop the spread of the virus,” he 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 vaccinated against polio and other essential vaccines to keep them safe.”
The high-level delegation of the government and polio eradication partners interacted with the polio teams and vaccinators at the health center before the official launch of the national campaign by administering anti-polio drops to children.
The delegates also visited Islamabad Model School for Girls, Rawal Town G-5, to answer students’ questions on health and importance of vaccination. At the school, the delegation also watched as vaccinators administered polio drops to children under five years of age.
As Pakistan enters the final phase of polio eradication, the government and polio eradication donors and partners reaffirmed their resolve to remain focused, united and determined to achieve a polio-free Pakistan.
