The Government of Pakistan today announced the commencement of the first nationwide polio eradication campaign of 2026. Scheduled to run from February 2 to February 8, the week-long initiative aims to vaccinate more than 45 million children under the age of five across all provinces and administrative territories.
.@WHOPakistan started the new year with renewed commitment to #EndPolio in Pakistan & worldwide. This week, our warehouse staff dispatched material to 159 districts nationwide to support the upcoming national polio campaign starting in February to protect 45M children. pic.twitter.com/pngMGxnx6J
— WHO Pakistan (@WHOPakistan) January 8, 2026
A Unified Front Against Polio
In a strategic move to interrupt virus transmission permanently, the campaign will be synchronized with neighboring Afghanistan. This coordinated cross-border effort ensures that mobile populations and children in high-risk transit areas are protected simultaneously on both sides of the border.
Mobilizing a National Workforce
To achieve the ambitious target of 45 million vaccinations, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is deploying a massive frontline force:
- Personnel: Over 400,000 dedicated health workers and security personnel.
- Strategy: Door-to-door vaccination teams will visit every household in the country.
- Scope: Universal coverage across urban centers, rural districts, and remote border regions.
A Call to Action for Parents and Guardians
Health authorities are calling on all citizens to play their part in making Pakistan polio-free. The EOC emphasizes that the oral polio vaccine (OPV) is safe and essential for preventing lifelong paralysis.
“We urge every parent and guardian to cooperate fully with the vaccination teams visiting their homes,” the EOC stated in a briefing. “Protecting our children from disability requires a collective national effort. We also remind the public that while this campaign focuses on polio, it is vital to remain up-to-date with all routine childhood immunizations.”
Monitoring and Security
The government has implemented rigorous monitoring frameworks to track the campaign’s progress in real-time. Security measures are also in place to ensure the safety of the 400,000 workers as they carry out this vital public health mission.
