Pakistan’s nationwide anti-polio campaign continues on second day

Pakistan’s second National Anti-Polio Campaign of 2026 is continuing across the country with full momentum, as health workers aim to vaccinate millions of children against the crippling disease.

According to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), more than 400,000 polio workers are participating in the door-to-door vaccination drive, administering oral polio drops along with additional doses of Vitamin A to strengthen children’s immunity.

The campaign, which is being conducted simultaneously in Pakistan and Afghanistan, is part of coordinated efforts to eliminate the poliovirus from the region. Officials said this joint strategy is crucial for preventing cross-border transmission and ensuring long-term eradication.

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On the first day alone, more than 13.7 million children across Pakistan received polio vaccinations. Provincial data shows that over 7.23 million children were vaccinated in Punjab, 3.08 million in Sindh, 2.27 million in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 702,000 in Balochistan. In addition, 143,000 children in Islamabad, 96,000 in Gilgit-Baltistan, and 243,000 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir were also administered the vaccine.

The NEOC confirmed that the campaign will continue uninterrupted from April 13 to April 19 across the country. Health authorities reiterated that polio is an incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis in children, making vaccination essential for prevention.

Parents have been urged to cooperate with vaccination teams and ensure that every eligible child receives the polio drops. Authorities also emphasized the importance of community participation in achieving a polio-free Pakistan.

For further assistance or to report issues related to vaccination teams, citizens can contact the helpline 1166 or send a WhatsApp message to 0346-7776546.

Officials say sustained public cooperation is critical to achieving the goal of complete eradication of polio from Pakistan.