Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif kicked off a nationwide polio campaign on April 20, vowing to make it a “roaring success” through collaborative national and international efforts. The drive, scheduled from April 21 to 27, aims to vaccinate over 45 million children across Pakistan, including in remote and conflict-prone regions.
Campaign Details
The second nationwide campaign of 2025 will mobilize 415,000 polio workers, reaching children in every province, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The goal is to eradicate polio completely from Pakistan, which remains one of only two countries in the world—alongside Afghanistan—where polio remains endemic.
The campaign follows a smaller injectable polio vaccine (IPV-OPV) initiative conducted in Quetta and Karachi in February. That effort targeted nearly 1 million children.
PM’s Address and Call to Action
At the launch ceremony in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized unity, urging parents and communities to cooperate with field teams.
“With our collective efforts, we will succeed,” he stated. “I thank our international partners, including the World Health Organization and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, for their continued support.”
He further requested all citizens to facilitate polio workers and help protect future generations from this crippling disease.
Focus on Security and Public Cooperation
Recognizing the security challenges in certain areas, the Prime Minister assured the public that strict security measures have been put in place. This will ensure that polio workers can carry out their duties safely and effectively.
He urged families to open their doors to vaccinators and ensure that all children under five receive their doses. “Parents must step forward. Without their help, no campaign can succeed,” he noted.
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Why the Campaign Matters
Polio is a highly infectious, paralyzing disease with no cure. Prevention through vaccination remains the only defense. Health experts stress that children need multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine to build strong immunity. Failure to vaccinate even a small number of children can keep the virus circulating in the community.
Last year, Pakistan reported more than 70 confirmed polio cases, with traces of the virus found in about 90 districts. However, in a positive sign, no new case has been reported since February 10, 2025, giving hope that the eradication goal is within reach.
Global and National Partnerships
Pakistan’s fight against polio is supported by global health bodies and non-profits. The collaboration with partners like the WHO and the Gates Foundation brings not only funding but also technical expertise and global experience.
The government sees this campaign as a decisive step in the final stretch of the battle against polio. With continued effort, cooperation, and vigilance, Pakistan hopes to finally close this painful chapter of its public health history.
Moving Toward a Polio-Free Pakistan
As the campaign begins, all eyes are on the results of this massive mobilization effort. Officials, health experts, and volunteers remain optimistic, believing that Pakistan can soon join the rest of the world in becoming polio-free.
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