Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has successfully concluded its first nationwide anti-polio vaccination campaign of 2026, with more than 44.3 million children administered polio drops across the country, the National Emergency Operations Center (EOC) said on Monday.&nbsp;According to official data, Punjab recorded the highest coverage, with over&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-launches-2026-polio-campaign-for-45-million-children" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">22.9 million children vaccinated</a>, followed by Sindh, where more than 10.5 million children received polio drops.&nbsp;In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, over 7.13 million children were vaccinated, while in Balochistan, more than 2.36 million children were immunised.&nbsp;The campaign also covered smaller regions, with over 455,000 children vaccinated in Islamabad, around 261,000 in Gilgit-Baltistan, and more than 673,000 children in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;Health authorities said the campaign was synchronized to be conducted in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, reflecting coordinated cross-border efforts to curb the transmission of the poliovirus.&nbsp;Pakistan remains one of the last countries in the world where polio is endemic, and officials say sustained nationwide campaigns are critical to achieving complete eradication of the disease. The National EOC thanked all relevant stakeholders for their cooperation and active participation in ensuring the campaign&#39;s smooth and successful conduct.&nbsp;It paid special tribute to polio workers and security personnel, describing them as the nation&rsquo;s real heroes for performing their duties under challenging conditions.

Pakistan concludes its first national polio vaccination campaign of 2026 on February 09. 2026. (File photo: Polio Free Pakistan)

Health

Punjab records the highest coverage, with over 22.9 million children vaccinated, followed by Sindh, where more than 10.5 million children receive polio drops.

Pakistan vaccinates over 44M children in first polio campaign of 2026

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan inaugurated its first national polio vaccination campaign of 2026 on Monday, according to the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC). In an official statement, the officials vowed to protect more than 45 million children across the country. The Prime Minister&#39;s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, and the High Commissioner of Canada, Tariq Ali Khan, administered polio drops to children during a ceremony at a Basic Health Unit in Islamabad&#39;s Rawal Town area. Country representatives of UNICEF and WHO attended the inauguration hosted by the National Emergency Operations Center. &quot;Polio eradication is among the top priorities of the Government of Pakistan,&quot; the focal person said. &quot;This campaign holds immense significance at this crucial stage of the journey towards polio eradication.&quot; Ayesha Farooq praised the frontline polio workers whose efforts are advancing eradication goals. &quot;The sacrifices and efforts of frontline polio workers are paving the way for the eradication of polio,&quot; she said. The Prime Minister&#39;s focal person highlighted Canada&#39;s role in the immunization effort. &quot;Canada&#39;s long-standing and valuable partnership has played a key role in protecting children,&quot; Farooq said. She thanked Canadian government for continued support.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, and the High Commissioner of Canada, Tariq Ali Khan, administered polio drops to children during a ceremony at a Basic Health Unit in Islamabad's Rawal Town area.

Articles tagged with "polio vaccination campaign"

Pakistan vaccinates over 44M children in first polio campaign of 2026

Pakistan launches national polio campaign to reach 45 million children in 2026