Polio Persists in Pakistan as Nine Cases Emerge in 2026
News Desk
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reported nine polio cases so far in 2026, including seven in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two in Sindh, highlighting the continued threat of poliovirus transmission despite ongoing vaccination efforts.
Against this backdrop, Pakistan has successfully concluded its November sub-national polio vaccination campaign, during which more than 24 million children were vaccinated across 97 selected districts from November 2 to 8, according to the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
The week-long campaign involved more than 200,000 polio workers who administered vaccine drops to children under the age of five. Vaccination teams were also deployed at roadside locations, schools, Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) centres and transit points to ensure maximum coverage.
According to the National EOC, Punjab recorded the highest number of vaccinations, with more than 9.196 million children immunised across 13 selected districts. In Sindh, approximately 7.104 million children received polio drops in 20 districts.
In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, around 4.697 million children were vaccinated across 27 selected districts, while Balochistan reported more than 2.236 million children vaccinated in 31 districts.
The campaign also covered Islamabad, where more than 450,000 children received polio drops. In Gilgit-Baltistan, over 161,000 children were vaccinated across three selected districts, while more than 191,000 children received polio drops in two selected districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Despite the large-scale vaccination drive, the National EOC expressed concern over continued poliovirus circulation in certain areas of Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar. Persistent transmission in districts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also continues to pose a risk to children.
The National EOC emphasised that sustained vaccination campaigns and effective surveillance are essential to interrupt poliovirus transmission and prevent further infections.
It urged parents to ensure that all children under five receive polio drops during every vaccination campaign and complete their routine immunisation schedules on time.
The National EOC reaffirmed that Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio would continue with unwavering commitment until the disease is completely eliminated from the country.
