Japan Grants $4.3M for Polio Vaccines to Support Pakistan

News Desk

ISLAMABAD: The Japanese government has announced a significant $4.3 million grant aimed at procuring essential oral polio vaccines, reinforcing its commitment to Pakistan’s ongoing polio eradication efforts.

The funds will enable the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) to acquire over 28 million doses of the vaccine, which are crucial for upcoming immunization campaigns scheduled for 2027, according to a press release from the Japanese embassy.

Pakistan remains one of only two countries globally where wild poliovirus transmission has not been fully eradicated. Despite notable progress in reducing polio cases—from 74 in 2024 to 31 in 2025, with only eight reported cases so far in 2026—challenges persist.

Six of the eight cases this year have emerged from the south Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, where insecurity and access issues hinder efforts to vaccinate every child.

The ongoing detection of the poliovirus highlights the urgent need for sustained vaccination initiatives to eliminate transmission and safeguard children.

Looking ahead, the PEI plans to utilize the new funding to enhance outreach and vaccination strategies, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. Continued international support, like that from Japan, is vital for achieving a polio-free Pakistan.