Pakistan’s nationwide anti-polio campaign reaches millions of children

Pakistan’s second national anti-polio campaign of 2026 is continuing across the country, with efforts now in its sixth day as health workers go door-to-door to vaccinate children under the age of five.

According to the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), more than 400,000 frontline workers are participating in the drive, ensuring widespread coverage in both urban and rural areas. Alongside polio drops, children are also being given Vitamin A supplements to boost immunity and overall health.

Officials said the campaign is being conducted simultaneously in Pakistan and Afghanistan as part of coordinated regional efforts to eliminate the virus. In the first five days alone, more than 44.1 million children have already been vaccinated nationwide, marking significant progress toward the campaign’s targets.

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Province-wise data shows strong coverage across all regions. In Punjab, over 22.8 million children have received the vaccine, while Sindh has recorded more than 10.1 million vaccinations. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 7.04 million children have been covered, and in Balochistan, more than 2.56 million have been vaccinated.

In the federal capital Islamabad, over 441,000 children have received polio drops. Gilgit-Baltistan has reported coverage of more than 292,000 children, while Azad Jammu and Kashmir has vaccinated approximately 717,000 children during the campaign.

The National EOC confirmed that the nationwide drive will continue without interruption from April 13 to April 19. Health authorities stressed that polio is an incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis in children, making vaccination essential for prevention.

Officials urged parents to cooperate with vaccination teams and ensure that no child is missed during the campaign. They emphasized that eliminating polio requires collective public participation and consistent immunization efforts across all regions.

For further guidance or reporting missed children, citizens can contact the helpline 1166 or send a WhatsApp message to 0346-7776546.