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Pakistan’s National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) has announced the successful completion of the first nationwide anti-polio campaign of 2026, describing it as a major public health effort carried out with nationwide coordination.
According to the NEOC, over 44.3 million children were administered polio drops during the drive. More than 400,000 frontline health workers, supported by security personnel, conducted door-to-door visits to ensure children under the age of five received the vaccine.
Officials praised the field teams, calling the vaccinators and security staff “real national heroes” for their commitment to protecting children from the crippling disease.
Provincial vaccination breakdown
- Punjab: 22.9 million children vaccinated
- Sindh: 10.5 million children vaccinated
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 7.13 million children vaccinated
- Balochistan: 2.36 million children vaccinated
- Azad Jammu & Kashmir: 673,000 children vaccinated
- Gilgit-Baltistan: 261,000 children vaccinated
- Islamabad: 455,000 children vaccinated
The NEOC reiterated that polio vaccination is mandatory for all children under five, emphasizing that repeated doses are essential to build immunity.
Notably, the campaign was conducted simultaneously in Pakistan and Afghanistan, reflecting regional coordination to eliminate the virus. Authorities thanked parents, community leaders, and partner organizations for their cooperation, stressing that sustained participation is key to achieving the goal of a polio-free future.
