Islamabad, April 13, 2026: Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative, led by the Government of Pakistan, today launched its second nationwide vaccination campaign of the year to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five across the country.

From April 13 to 19, over 400,000 frontline health workers will go door to door across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Islamabad, ensuring every child is reached, including those in the most remote and high-risk areas.

Vitamin A supplements will also be administered during the campaign to further strengthen and build children’s overall health and immunity. In addition, the campaign is being conducted in synchronisation with Afghanistan, supporting coordinated efforts to stop the spread of the virus across the border.

Over the last three decades, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8%, from 20,000 cases in 1994 to 31 in 2025, and 1 case so far in 2026.

Despite this progress, challenges remain. In 2026, poliovirus circulation was detected in 23 out of 87 districts, with a total of 40 positive environmental samples. These samples serve as a reminder that, as long as the virus exists anywhere, every child is at risk in Pakistan and worldwide.

The Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq, said:

“Pakistan is closer than ever to ending polio, but this is also the most critical stage. Polio causes lifelong disability and has no cure, but it can be prevented. This campaign is about ensuring every child under five receives two drops to help close remaining gaps and reach the finish line.”

Protecting every child through vaccination is the safest and most effective way to stop the virus. The Government of Pakistan urges all parents and caregivers to support vaccination teams and ensure every child under five receives polio drops during this and every campaign.

Note for the Editor:

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by poliovirus mainly affecting children under the age of five years. It invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis or even death. While there is no cure for polio, vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from this disease. Each time a child under the age of five is vaccinated, their protection against the virus is increased. Repeated immunisations have protected millions of children from polio, allowing almost all countries in the world to become polio-free, besides the two endemic countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

For further information, please contact: Mr. Syed Farhan Shah, Public Relations Officer, NEOC, +923165011808, syed.farhanshah1990@gmail.com