ISLAMABAD: The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed its full support for Pakistan’s intensified efforts to eliminate poliovirus, describing the next six to twelve months as a critical window to permanently interrupt transmission in the country.
During a high-level meeting with Pakistani health authorities, WHO officials praised the country’s recent progress in reducing polio cases and stressed that sustained vaccination campaigns, stronger surveillance, and community engagement are essential to achieving eradication. According to WHO, Pakistan has reported only three wild poliovirus cases in 2026, with transmission now largely confined to limited high-risk areas.
WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr. Dapeng Luo said the country has made remarkable progress over the past three decades, reducing polio cases by more than 99 percent through coordinated vaccination and surveillance efforts. He emphasized that Pakistan now has a historic opportunity to end the disease permanently if current interventions are maintained and further strengthened.
Health officials highlighted that the government is expanding nationwide immunization campaigns, improving environmental surveillance, and working closely with local communities to reach every eligible child. Authorities are also intensifying efforts to combat vaccine misinformation and improve public confidence in immunization programs.
WHO reaffirmed that it will continue providing technical expertise, operational support, and collaboration with Pakistan’s health authorities and global partners until the country achieves a polio-free status. The organization noted that Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the world’s only two countries where wild poliovirus transmission has not yet been eliminated.
