Health authorities in Pakistan have announced a massive nationwide effort to combat polio, targeting the vaccination of more than 45 million children in early 2026.
Nationwide Campaign Details and Timeline
The country's emergency operations center stated that the first major polio eradication drive of the year is scheduled for February 2 to February 8, 2026. This week-long initiative will see vaccination teams fan out across the entire country to administer the oral polio vaccine to every child under five years of age.
A Coordinated Cross-Border Effort
In a significant move for regional public health, the campaign will be conducted simultaneously in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan. This synchronized approach is a core part of coordinated cross-border efforts designed to decisively interrupt the transmission of the poliovirus in the region.
The scale of the operation is immense. Authorities have mobilized a workforce of more than 400,000 dedicated professionals and volunteers. These teams will carry out comprehensive door-to-door vaccination and related activities to ensure no child is missed.
Urgent Call to Parents and Broader Health Goals
Pakistani health officials are making a direct appeal to parents, urging them to fully cooperate with the visiting vaccination teams. The goal is to protect children from the lifelong disability that can be caused by the poliovirus.
Furthermore, the authorities emphasized that while the polio campaign is critical, it should not overshadow the importance of completing all routine childhood immunizations. They stress that a full suite of vaccines is essential for building comprehensive, lifelong immunity in the young population.
This ambitious campaign represents a pivotal step in the global fight to eradicate polio, highlighting the ongoing commitment and logistical power required to protect future generations from this debilitating disease.
