Pakistan’s latest polio vaccination campaign has concluded its first week with over 96% of targeted children receiving drops across the country, according to the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC).
The nationwide drive, which began last Monday, aimed to vaccinate more than 45 million children under five. It is part of Pakistan’s renewed efforts to eliminate polio, especially after a rise in cases last year. So far in 2025, 10 cases have been reported.
Despite challenges like misinformation, refusals from parents, and security threats to polio workers, the campaign ran successfully across provinces.
Vaccination coverage reached 97% in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 96% in Punjab and Balochistan, 94% in Sindh, 98% in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and 101% in Gilgit-Baltistan. Islamabad also reported 97% coverage.
To boost participation in Balochistan — the province with the highest number of cases in 2024 — local authorities arranged fun activities like free rides and camel shows in Quetta, which drew large crowds and helped vaccinators reach more children.
“This campaign is crucial as we enter the high-transmission season,” said Ziaur Rehman, spokesperson for the Polio Program.
He also urged parents to ensure all children under five are vaccinated to protect them from lifelong disability.
For the unversed, Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two countries where polio is still endemic.
