ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched a week-long anti-polio vaccination campaign in 79 high-risk districts, aiming to immunize around 19 million children under the age of five, according to the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC).
The campaign comes less than two weeks after health authorities confirmed two new polio cases in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on May 1.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that can cause permanent paralysis and death. The disease is preventable through repeated doses of oral polio vaccine. Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only countries where polio is still endemic.
“To completely eradicate poliovirus and secure a safe future for every child, it is vital that every child receives two drops of the vaccine during each campaign alongside routine immunization,” the NEOC said in a statement.
More than 160,000 frontline workers will take part in the door-to-door drive, which will continue until May 24.
According to the NEOC, the campaign will cover 10 districts in Punjab, targeting 6.19 million children, while 5.79 million children will receive polio drops in 20 districts of Sindh.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, authorities aim to vaccinate 4.61 million children in 23 districts. In Balochistan, nearly 1.99 million children will be immunized across 25 districts.
Health officials also plan to vaccinate around 450,000 children in Islamabad during the campaign.
The NEOC urged parents to cooperate with vaccination teams and ensure all children under five receive polio drops.
“Welcome the polio teams and help keep your children safe from polio,” the agency said.
This year, Pakistan has so far recorded three polio cases, including two in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one in Sindh.
Last year, Pakistan reported 31 polio cases. Of these, 20 were recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, nine in Sindh, and one in Punjab.
