Pakistan launches first polio eradication drive of 2026

45m children under the age of five to be inoculated from February 2-8 across 159 districts nationwide

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) on Monday launched the first polio vaccination campaign of 2026 to inoculate 45 million children under the age of five.

The week-long campaign will be held from February 2-8 across 159 districts nationwide.

PM’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq inaugurated the campaign at CDA Rawal Town Dispensary in Islamabad accompanied by Canadian High Commissioner Tarik Ali Khan, World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng and UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Pernille Ironside, as well as district government authorities.

ملک بھر میں آج سے آٹھ فروری تک قومی انسدادِ پولیو مہم کا آغازhttps://t.co/Iv972Edlcc pic.twitter.com/Tbzebj3eJy

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) February 2, 2026

Since the launch of polio eradication campaigns in 1994, the polio cases have been reduced by 99.8%, from an estimated 20,000 cases annually to 31 cases reported for 2025.

The progress has been achieved through sustained house-to-house vaccination campaigns, strong government leadership, and the dedication of more than 400,000 courageous frontline health workers who are moilized nationwide for every campaign.

The polio vaccine, prequalified by WHO, is safe and effective, has been used in more than 190 countries to eradicate polio. It is imperative that every child under five receives two drops of the oral polio vaccine during each campaign.

In her address, Farooq said Pakistan was in the final mile of polio eradication and the ongoing campaign came at a critical time as the polio programme was aiming to take this year a decisive step towards interrupting transmission.

“At this stage, every campaign and every child counts. Every child reached with the vaccine strengthens their protection and helps stop the virus from spreading further,” she 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 with polio all other essential vaccines to keep them safe.”

The senior delegation of the government and polio eradication partners interacted with polio teams and vaccinators at the health facility prior to officially launching the national campaign by administering polio drops to children.

Delegates also visited Islamabad Model School for Girls Rawal Town G-5 to answer the questions of students regarding health and the importance of vaccination. At the school, the delegation also observed how vaccinators administered polio drops to children under five.

As Pakistan enters the final phase to eradicate polio, the government and polio eradication donors and partners reaffirmed their determination to remain focused, united, and resolute in achieving a polio-free Pakistan.