A week-long anti-polio campaign kicked off across the country on Monday.

During the drive, field teams of the health department will go door-to-door to administer anti-polio vaccine drops to over 45 million children under the age of five years.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally launched the anti-polio campaign by administering polio drops to children in Lahore on Sunday.

Pakistan launched its second national anti-polio campaign of the year, aiming to immunize over 45 million children under the age of five. The week-long drive, running from April 21 to 27, is being carried out in all provinces, with more than 400,000 male and female health workers participating across the country.

In Karachi, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah inaugurated the campaign by administering polio drops to children at CM House. He emphasized the importance of vaccination, stating, “Polio has no cure—only prevention through vaccination can save our children from lifelong disability.” The campaign targets 2.76 million children in Karachi alone, with over 5,000 security personnel deployed to ensure the safety of polio workers.

In Hyderabad, District Health Officer Dr. Lala Jaffar kicked off the seven-day campaign at Government Hospital Khadija in Latifabad Unit 8. He said the campaign aims to vaccinate 483,700 children through 1,550 mobile, 163 fixed, 83 transit, and 18 evening teams. “Where there are refusals, vaccination will be ensured strictly,” he added.

Tando Allahyar also launched a five-day campaign from April 21–25. DC Noor Mustafa Leghari assured that no negligence will be tolerated and all mobile, fixed, and transit teams—totaling over 560—have been equipped with necessary facilities. “Polio is a national cause. Everyone must play their part,” he stated.

In Balochistan, the campaign covers 2.66 million children, with participation from 11,000 medical teams, while in North Waziristan, the drive was postponed due to curfew and will now begin on April 22. All security and logistical arrangements are in place for the resumed campaign, said DHO Dr. Kaleem Ullah.

The National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) urged parents to open their doors to polio teams, noting that “each additional dose further strengthens the child’s immune system.” The EOC also reported a noticeable decline in poliovirus presence due to continued campaigns.

This nationwide effort reflects Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating polio and safeguarding the health and future of its next generation.