Pakistan launches nationwide polio campaign for 45m children

Pakistan has launched its second national anti-polio campaign of 2026, aiming to vaccinate millions of children across the country as authorities intensify efforts to eradicate the virus once and for all.

According to the Polio Emergency Operation Center, the nationwide campaign will vaccinate around 45 million children with anti-polio drops. In addition, children will also receive vitamin A supplements to improve overall immunity.

More than 400,000 polio workers are participating in the drive, going door-to-door to ensure maximum coverage.

In Punjab, the campaign aims to vaccinate over 22.3 million children, with around 200,000 anti-polio workers taking part.

In Lahore alone, polio drops will be administered to 2.2 million households, and the campaign will continue for seven days, according to Lahore Health CEO Dr. Asif Arbab.

He urged parents to ensure their children receive the vaccine.

To enhance security, authorities have introduced a Safe City app for anti-polio workers in Punjab. Dr. Arbab said workers are now linked to the system, allowing them to alert police with a single click in case of any emergency.

The campaign in Punjab was inaugurated at Children’s Hospital by MPA Uzma Kardar. She said eliminating polio remains the government’s top priority, noting that 17 districts were affected in 2025.

Progress seen but challenges remain

Kardar highlighted that all polio environmental samples turned negative in March, indicating progress. She added that transit points have been strengthened, with polio teams deployed on all inbound and outbound routes to prevent virus spread.

She noted that Pakistanis continue to face international travel restrictions due to polio. She urged citizens to ensure vaccination, saying every Pakistani must take polio drops before traveling abroad.

She also declared that 2026 is the year to eradicate polio from Pakistan. The ceremony was also attended by Children Health Sciences University Vice Chancellor Dr. Masood Sadiq.

Sindh launches seven-day campaign

In Sindh, the campaign was inaugurated in Karachi by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who personally administered polio drops to children. He said there has been a significant reduction in cases this year and expressed confidence that the virus will be eliminated.

The campaign will continue until April 19, targeting 16 million children, while 9.4 million children will receive vitamin A.

Authorities have deployed 83,000 frontline workers and more than 24,000 security personnel to ensure smooth implementation. The Sindh government emphasized that the campaign will continue until polio is fully eradicated.

KP polio drive

Islamabad campaign targets over 447,000 children

In Islamabad, a four-day campaign is underway until April 16, targeting 447,614 children. Special vaccination camps have been set up in hospitals, schools and public places, while teams will also visit homes.

Officials said public cooperation is essential to eliminate polio.

In Balochistan, a seven-day campaign has begun, aiming to vaccinate 2.66 million children. More than 11,000 teams have been deployed, including 822 fixed teams and 475 transit teams.

Officials said no polio case has been reported in the province since November 2024, reflecting steady progress.

Nationwide targets across regions

The campaign includes vaccination targets across all regions:

• Punjab: Over 23 million children

• Sindh: More than 16 million children

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Over 6.5 million children

• Balochistan: Over 2.6 million children

• Islamabad: More than 460,000 children

• Gilgit-Baltistan: Around 228,000 children

• Azad Kashmir: Around 760,000 children

Officials say the campaign reflects a renewed push toward a polio-free Pakistan mission. With improved security, digital tools, and public awareness, authorities are hopeful that sustained efforts will finally eliminate the virus.