• The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, has confirmed two new poliovirus cases in Sindh, one from District Badin and the other from District Thatta.
  • With these two cases, both girls, the total number of polio cases in Pakistan in 2025 has reached 29 – including 18 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, nine from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan. 
  • Polio is a highly infectious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. The only effective protection is through repeated doses of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) for every child under the age of five during each campaign, along with the timely completion of all routine immunizations.  
  • The National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication conducted a Sub-National Polio Vaccination Campaign in September 2025 across 88 districts of the country, including Badin and Thatta. The campaign successfully reached nearly 21 million children under the age of five. 
  • The next nationwide polio vaccination campaign will be held from 13 - 19 October 2025, aiming to protect around 45.4 million children under the age of five. During the campaign, Vitamin A will also be administered alongside Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) to boost children’s immunity levels. More than 400,000 dedicated frontline workers will go door-to-door to ensure that every eligible child receives this essential protection. 
  • These campaigns are aimed at rapidly boosting children’s immunity and strengthening protection as part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to eradicate polio. Parents and caregivers are strongly encouraged to ensure that their children receive the vaccine in every campaign, as it remains the only reliable protection against lifelong disability. 
  • Polio eradication is a shared responsibility. While dedicated frontline polio workers deliver vaccines, parents and caregivers must ensure their children receive all recommended doses, including routine immunizations.   
  • Communities, teachers, religious leaders, and especially the media play a vital role by supporting vaccination efforts, countering misinformation, and encouraging others to vaccinate so that every child is protected. Together, we can ensure a polio-free future for every child in Pakistan. 
  • For more information, contact the Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline at 1166 or the Polio Helpline via WhatsApp at 0346-7776546.