Week-Long Polio Vaccination Drive Begins Nationwide
A sub-national anti-polio immunization campaign will be launched across Pakistan on November 2, targeting nearly 24 million children under the age of five. The week-long drive will take place in 97 selected districts aimed at bolstering the country’s ongoing efforts toward polio eradication.
Extensive Campaign Coverage and Resources Deployed
The campaign is set to run from November 2 to November 8, during which more than 200,000 frontline workers will vaccinate children. In Balochistan alone, over 2.2 million children across 31 districts are expected to receive polio drops, coordinated by 8,888 mobile and stationary vaccination teams, according to Inam Ul Haq, the Emergency Operation Center Coordinator for Balochistan.
National Effort and Leadership
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal officially inaugurated the third Sub-National Immunization Days (SNIDs) campaign of 2026 by administering vaccine doses at the National Emergency Operations Centre in Islamabad. The event saw participation from key national figures including the NEOC Coordinator Muhammad Anwar ul Haq, as well as international partners such as the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Significance for Pakistan
Pakistan remains one of the few countries where polio is still endemic. The deployment of extensive resources and the involvement of numerous agencies reflect the government’s commitment to eradicating the disease. The absence of new polio cases in Balochistan since November 2024 offers cautious optimism, but sustained vaccination efforts are critical to prevent resurgence and to protect future generations.
“With the unwavering dedication of frontline health workers and community support, we can safeguard every child and achieve a polio-free Pakistan,” emphasized campaign officials during the launch.
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