Polio drive begins across Pakistan

Shazia Mehboob

Islamabad: Pakistan has launched a nationwide anti-polio campaign targeting more than 43 million children under the age of five, as health authorities intensify efforts to prevent the re-emergence of the crippling disease.

The six-day immunisation drive involves more than 339,000 trained polio workers, who are visiting households across the country to administer oral polio vaccine to eligible children.

According to the Ministry of Health, unlike some previous campaigns that were conducted in selected areas, the latest drive covers children across the country.

Health Minister Qadir Patel said the government was committed to eliminating polio through coordinated efforts by federal and provincial authorities. He urged parents and caregivers to ensure that children receive polio drops during every campaign.

“Unvaccinated children are at risk,” the minister said, stressing that continued vaccination was essential because wild poliovirus remains present in the environment in some districts.

Health authorities have also warned that no child can be considered completely safe until vaccination coverage is maintained across all communities.

Security stepped up for polio teams

With vaccination workers continuing their door-to-door campaign in high-risk areas, authorities have taken additional security measures to protect frontline teams.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Section 144 has been imposed in several districts during the campaign, with restrictions on pillion riding, tinted vehicle windows and the carrying or display of weapons. Police personnel have also been deployed alongside vaccination teams.

Around 7.2 million children under five are being targeted for vaccination in KP, where nearly 31,000 teams have been constituted, including mobile, fixed, transit and roaming teams.

Millions targeted in Punjab

In Multan division, more than 1.9 million children are expected to receive polio drops through 7,443 teams. The deputy commissioner has warned of action against parents who deliberately refuse vaccination or obstruct teams.

Officials have urged families to cooperate with vaccinators, saying repeated doses are necessary to build children’s immunity and prevent outbreaks.

Campaign continues despite no reported cases in Mirpur

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, 72,422 children are being administered polio and vitamin-A drops during the campaign.

In Mirpur, health officials said no case of polio had been reported since 2000. Nevertheless, authorities have deployed 400 mobile teams, 40 fixed centres and 14 transit points to ensure that children, including those travelling through the district, are vaccinated.

Officials said maintaining high vaccination coverage remains essential even in areas where no recent polio cases have been detected, as the virus can spread across communities and geographical boundaries.

Pakistan remains one of the few countries where wild poliovirus transmission continues, making repeated nationwide vaccination campaigns a key part of efforts to achieve complete eradication.