ISLAMABAD: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, has confirmed a new case of polio from District Lakki Marwat in South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The case involves a five-month-old child from Union Council Sulemankhel, marking the 12th polio case reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this year and 19th nationwide in 2025.
Health officials have reiterated concerns over the continued transmission of poliovirus in high-risk regions, particularly in southern KP, where low vaccine acceptance, restricted access, shortage of female vaccinators, and operational challenges are undermining immunization efforts.
Despite progress in recent years, officials emphasize that repeated vaccination is essential to build and maintain immunity. Every unvaccinated child remains vulnerable to poliovirus and may further contribute to its spread.
Polio is a highly infectious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. The only protection is through multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) during every campaign and the timely completion of all routine immunizations.
Since September 2024, Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) has conducted six high-quality immunization campaigns, including four nationwide rounds that reached over 45 million children each. Looking ahead, two national and one sub-national campaign are planned between September and December 2025, alongside targeted activities in high-risk districts.
A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary KP, Mr. Shahab Ali Shah, was held on August 2–3 in Peshawar, during which district teams presented localized strategies, innovations in microplanning, and mitigation measures. A comprehensive roadmap was agreed to align district efforts with the provincial goal of a polio-free KP.
The next nationwide polio campaign will begin on September 1, 2025, with a special focus on South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other high-risk areas. All children under five are urged to receive polio drops to ensure strong immunity and break the chain of transmission.
Health authorities are calling on parents, caregivers, and communities to support the campaign by welcoming vaccinators, disregarding misinformation, and ensuring no child is missed.
For further information, the public is encouraged to call the Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline at 1166 or reach out via WhatsApp on the Polio Helpline: 0346-7776546.
