Pakistan launches nationwide polio vaccination campaign

A week-long polio vaccination campaign has launched in Karachi and across the Sindh province, running from September 21 to September 27, 2026. In Karachi alone, health authorities aim to vaccinate approximately 2.5 million children under the age of five. The initiative involves coordinated efforts between vaccination teams, district administrations, and international partners, with teams scheduled to visit homes daily to administer oral polio drops.

On a broader scale, the Sub-National Immunization Days (SNIDs) target 31 million children across 115 high-risk districts in Pakistan, including areas in Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh. The campaign was inaugurated at the Rotary Club of Karachi Community Centre.

This drive follows three large-scale nationwide campaigns earlier this year that reached 45 million children. While polio cases in Pakistan have significantly decreased, the country and Afghanistan remain the only two nations where the virus has not been fully eradicated. Authorities are emphasizing community engagement and cooperation to counter misinformation and ensure coverage in high-risk areas.