The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) announced on Monday that Pakistan has successfully completed its first national anti-polio drive of 2026. The campaign reached over 44.3 million children under the age of five across the country.
According to the NEOC, more than 400,000 anti-polio drive workers visited homes door-to-door, ensuring that every eligible child received the polio vaccine. The organization described the workers and security personnel as “real national heroes” for their dedication and efforts.
Provincial breakdowns revealed that Punjab vaccinated over 22.9 million children, while Sindh reached approximately 10.5 million. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 7.13 million children were administered the vaccine, and Balochistan saw 2.363 million children inoculated. Azad Jammu and Kashmir recorded 673,000 vaccinations, Gilgit-Baltistan 261,000, and Islamabad 455,000 children.
The NEOC emphasized that it is mandatory to vaccinate every child under five years of age. Officials stated that the campaign was coordinated simultaneously with Afghanistan to strengthen regional polio eradication efforts.
“The cooperation of local authorities, security forces, and health workers has made this anti-polio drive a success,” the NEOC said in a statement. Authorities further noted that consistent vaccination campaigns are crucial to prevent the resurgence of polio in vulnerable communities.
The NEOC also urged parents to ensure their children receive polio drops, highlighting that immunization is vital for protecting children from the crippling disease. They praised the collaboration between federal, provincial, and local teams, stressing that ongoing campaigns are essential to achieve a polio-free Pakistan.
With this latest effort, Pakistan continues its fight against polio, building on previous campaigns and strengthening public awareness about the importance of child vaccination.
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