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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will launch a special polio vaccination campaign in 79 selected districts across the country from May 18 to 24, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) said on Wednesday. &ldquo;This is a targeted campaign taking place in high-risk districts across the country,&rdquo; an NEOC spokesperson told Pakistan TV Digital. Nearly 19 million children will be administered polio drops during the week-long drive. The campaign will be conducted simultaneously in Pakistan and Afghanistan as part of coordinated regional efforts to eradicate the virus.&nbsp;In Punjab, around 6.19 million children will be vaccinated in 10 districts. Sindh will cover 5.79 million children in 20 districts, while 4.61 million children will receive drops in 23 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.&nbsp;In Balochistan, the campaign aims to vaccinate 1.99 million children in 25 districts. Meanwhile, about 450,000 children in Islamabad will also be administered polio drops.&nbsp;The NEOC emphasized that protecting children from polio is a shared national responsibility. It urged parents to fully cooperate with polio teams, ensure access to vaccinators, and make sure their children receive the life-saving drops.&nbsp;Pakistan remains one of the few countries where polio is still endemic, and authorities continue to <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-launches-2026-polio-campaign-for-45-million-children" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">intensify efforts to eliminate the disease</a> through nationwide vaccination campaigns.

Pakistan inaugurated its first national polio vaccination campaign of 2026 on Monday. (File photo: Polio Free Pakistan)

Health

NEOC emphasizes that protecting children from polio is a shared national responsibility; urges parents to fully cooperate with polio teams, ensure access to vaccinators, and make sure their children receive the life-saving drops.


Pakistan to launch polio vaccination campaign in high-risk districts from May 18

ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday issued a cold wave alert for Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, warning of extremely low temperatures and heavy snowfall over the coming days.&nbsp;According to the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC), very cold to extremely cold conditions are expected to prevail, particularly during nighttime and early morning hours, while daytime temperatures are likely to remain below normal.&nbsp;The forecast indicates moderate to heavy snowfall in <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/more-than-75000-domestic-tourists-visit-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-during-new-years" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">high-altitude and hilly areas</a>, which could disrupt road connectivity, transportation, and power supply in mountainous regions. NDMA warned that the prevailing conditions may increase the risk of snow slides and avalanches at vulnerable locations, posing threats to human lives, infrastructure, and livestock.&nbsp;Adjoining plains are expected to experience&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/cold-wave-grips-pakistan-fog-and-freezing-temperatures-set-to-intensify" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(44, 130, 201);" rel="noopener noreferrer">cold</a><a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/cold-wave-grips-pakistan-fog-and-freezing-temperatures-set-to-intensify" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(44, 130, 201);">, dry weather</a>, with frost in isolated areas. The authority cautioned that prolonged exposure to extreme cold may increase health risks, especially for children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing medical conditions. Frost could also damage standing crops and orchards in nearby plain areas.&nbsp;NDMA advised the public to avoid non-essential travel to high-altitude and snowfall-prone areas and urged travelers to use snow chains where travel is unavoidable. Citizens were also asked to make adequate arrangements for heating, <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/volunteers-bring-winter-relief-to-islamabads-daily-wage-workers" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">warm clothing and shelter</a>, with special attention to vulnerable populations.&nbsp;The authority directed provincial and district administrations to remain on high alert and ensure preparedness for snow-clearance operations, emergency response, and the timely restoration of essential services, including electricity and communications.&nbsp;NDMA said it would continue to monitor the situation through NEOC and issue further updates as required. The public has been advised to rely on official information disseminated through television, radio, verified social media platforms, and the &ldquo;Pak NDMA Disaster Alert&rdquo; mobile application.

Climate & Environment

The National Disaster Management Authority warns of an increased risk of snow slides and avalanches at vulnerable locations, posing a threat to human lives, infrastructure, and livestock.

Articles tagged with "NEOC"

Pakistan to launch polio vaccination campaign in high-risk districts from May 18

Pakistan issues cold wave alert for northern regions

Pakistan to launch polio vaccination campaign in high-risk districts from May 18