Islamabad, December 23, 2025 – Pakistan has successfully concluded the final and fifth nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2025, during which polio drops were administered to more than 44.6 million children across the country. The campaign achieved strong coverage across all provinces and regions. Punjab recorded vaccination of over 22.8 million children, followed by Sindh with more than 10 million, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with over 7.1 million, and Balochistan with more than 2.5 million children immunized. In Islamabad, over 450,000 children received polio drops, while Gilgit-Baltistan vaccinated more than 274,000 children and Azad Jammu and Kashmir over 714,000.
The campaign was inaugurated by Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Syed Mustafa Kamal, along with the Federal Health Secretary and National Coordinator, Muhammad Anwar ul Haq, in the presence of representatives from international partner organizations and senior officials of the Pakistan Polio Programme at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) for Polio Eradication.
During the campaign, national and provincial leadership conducted extensive field visits and chaired post-campaign review meetings to assess vaccination coverage, campaign quality, and overall operational performance. These monitoring and oversight activities played a critical role in identifying gaps and ensuring timely corrective measures where required.
Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, Ms. Ayesha Raza Farooq, undertook post-campaign visits to Peshawar and Lahore, where she held high-level meetings with provincial authorities to review the polio situation and assess campaign outcomes. During these visits, she also met with frontline polio workers, acknowledged their dedication, and listened to their concerns to help further strengthen planning and implementation of future operations.
As a result of sustained, high-quality vaccination campaigns in 2025, Pakistan has achieved a significant reduction in polio cases. Reported cases declined from 74 in 2024 to 30 in 2025, reflecting measurable progress compared to the previous year. No polio cases have been reported since September 2025, highlighting the remarkable progress achieved through consistent and comprehensive immunization efforts across the country.
The NEOC reaffirms that Pakistan is on a strong path toward polio eradication. Sustained efforts, high-quality vaccination campaigns, and robust community engagement have been instrumental in achieving significant progress. Continued vigilance and adherence to best practices in campaign implementation remain vital to maintain this momentum. The NEOC calls upon all stakeholders, including parents, community leaders, and health workers, to continue their active support. With collective commitment and coordinated action, Pakistan is steadily moving closer to the ultimate goal of a polio-free nation.
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