ISLAMABAD: The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health (NIH) has confirmed a new polio case in District Hyderabad, Sindh, raising the total number of cases in Pakistan this year to 27. These include 18 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, seven from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Polio is a highly infectious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. The only proven protection is through repeated doses of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) for every child under five during each vaccination campaign, along with the timely completion of all routine immunizations.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) for Polio Eradication recently conducted a Sub-National Polio Vaccination Campaign in September 2025, covering 88 districts across the country, including Hyderabad. The drive successfully reached an estimated 21 million children under the age of five.
To further strengthen immunity and protect children, the next nationwide polio vaccination campaign will be held from 13 to 19 October 2025, targeting approximately 45.4 million children. More than 400,000 frontline health workers will go door-to-door to ensure that every eligible child receives the vaccine.
Health authorities have urged parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive all recommended doses during every campaign, stressing that vaccination remains the only effective defense against lifelong disability. Community members, teachers, religious leaders, and the media are also encouraged to support these efforts, counter misinformation, and help achieve a polio-free Pakistan.
For more information, parents can contact the Sehat Tahaffuz Helpline at 1166 or the Polio Helpline via WhatsApp at 0346-7776546.
