Pakistan will kick off its first nationwide anti-polio campaign of 2025 from February 3 to 9, aiming to vaccinate over 4.54 million children across the country.
According to sources, a three-day vaccination campaign will take place in general areas, followed by two additional catch-up days. In sensitive regions, a five-day campaign will be conducted with two catch-up days, involving community-based vaccinations and special mobile teams.
More than 450,000 workers will be mobilized for this critical effort, as Pakistan recorded 73 polio cases in 2024 and over 480 polio-positive sewage samples nationwide, highlighting the urgency of mass immunization.
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at NIH recently confirmed the detection of the wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in the country.
Polio is a paralyzing disease with no cure, and multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) are essential to provide children under five with strong immunity. The Pakistan Polio Program conducts mass vaccination drives year-round, ensuring vaccines reach children at their doorsteps.
Parents are urged to get their children vaccinated to safeguard them from this life-threatening disease.
