ISLAMABAD: The fourth national polio campaign of 2025 has been launched across Pakistan to protect more than 45 million children from the crippling poliovirus.
The week-long campaign, led by the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) and partners, will cover 159 districts across the country. During the drive, children under the age of five will receive polio drops along with Vitamin A supplements to strengthen their immunity.
According to the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme, which began in 1994, sustained vaccination efforts have reduced polio cases by 99.6 percent — from an estimated 20,000 annual cases to 74 in 2024 and 29 so far this year.
Over 400,000 trained vaccinators have been deployed nationwide to reach every child through door-to-door immunization. The campaign will continue from October 13 to 19, while in seven districts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it will be held from October 20 to 23.
This is the fourth nationwide campaign of the year, targeting 23.3 million children in Punjab, 10.6 million in Sindh, 7.2 million in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 2.6 million in Balochistan, 700,000 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, 200,000 in Gilgit-Baltistan, and 400,000 in Islamabad.
The drive comes amid renewed concerns following 29 reported polio cases this year. Recent floods across Pakistan have disrupted sanitation systems, displaced families, and limited access to healthcare — conditions that heighten the risk of virus transmission.
The national campaign aims to ensure that every child is protected against this preventable disease and reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to achieving a polio-free future.
Parents and caregivers can contact the Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline 1166 or WhatsApp 0346-7776546 to report missed children or seek information during and after the campaign.
