Pakistan will hold a sub-national polio vaccination campaign from 2 to 8 November. First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari urged parents and caregivers to make sure every child under five receives polio drops.
The campaign aims to vaccinate about 24 million children in 97 selected districts, with more than 200,000 frontline polio workers taking part.
Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8 per cent since its national eradication programme began in 1994. But seven cases have been reported so far in 2026, and the continued presence of the virus remains a serious concern.
The country aims to become polio-free by June 2027. Every child under five should receive two drops during each campaign, regardless of previous doses. Parents should also make sure their children complete routine immunisation on time.
There is no cure for polio, and it can cause lifelong paralysis, but vaccination can prevent it. The First Lady called on parents and caregivers to cooperate with frontline workers and help them reach children.
She paid tribute to polio workers who visit communities across the country, including hard-to-reach areas, and urged parents, community representatives and other stakeholders to support the November campaign.
