Nationwide anti-polio drive set to begin tomorrow, officials urge parents to inoculate children

Drive aims to vaccinate over 45 million children below the age of five during a week-long campaign

Officials on Sunday urged parents to ensure their children receive anti-polio vaccines as Pakistan prepares for a nationwide inoculation drive from Monday amid a rising number of cases.

The drive aims to vaccinate over 45 million children below the age of five during the campaign, which will run from October 28 to November 3, according to a statement.

“Parents are requested to fully cooperate with polio workers,” said Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s focal person for polio eradication, adding, “Parents must ensure vaccination of their children aged below five years.”

Pakistan has recorded 41 polio cases this year, underscoring the deepening crisis in one of only two countries, alongside Afghanistan, where polio remains endemic.

Since late 2018, the country has seen a resurgence of the virus, which has raised concerns about the durability of previous gains in combating the diseases.