Pakistan to vaccinate over 45 million against polio in nationwide drive from Apr. 13-19

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani health authorities will aim to vaccinate over 45 million children in the year’s second nationwide anti-polio vaccination campaign, the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) said on Monday.

Pakistan conducted its first nationwide polio campaign of the year in January, vaccinating more than 45 million children.

Polio is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause permanent paralysis, mainly in children under the age of five. Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where the disease remains endemic.

“The second national polio eradication campaign of 2026 will be held across the country from Apr. 13 to Apr. 19,” the NEOC said in a statement.

“During the campaign, more than 45 million children will be administered polio drops.”