Pakistan to launch polio drive on September 21

Pakistan will launch a nationwide sub-national polio vaccination campaign on September 21 across Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, with the campaign aimed at protecting millions of children from the crippling disease.

According to the National Polio Eradication Programme, the campaign will continue until September 27 and will cover 115 selected districts across the country. During the week-long drive, more than 31 million children will be administered oral polio vaccine drops.

The campaign is part of Pakistan’s continued efforts to eliminate poliovirus and prevent the spread of the disease among children. Vaccination teams will carry out door-to-door activities and other immunisation efforts in the targeted districts to ensure maximum coverage.

The government has also increased the daily remuneration of workers participating in polio vaccination campaigns by 28 percent. Officials said the increase recognises the tireless efforts and services of polio workers, who play a key role in reaching children across the country, including those in remote and difficult-to-access areas.

The National Polio Eradication Programme said Pakistan has made significant progress in reducing the number of polio cases over the past several decades. The number of cases has fallen by 99.8 percent, from an estimated fewer than 20,000 cases in the early 1990s to 31 cases in 2025.

The decline has continued in 2026, with the country reporting only three polio cases so far, according to the programme.

Despite the sharp reduction in cases, health authorities continue to stress the importance of vaccination, particularly in areas where poliovirus transmission remains a concern. Repeated vaccination campaigns are considered essential to maintaining immunity among children and preventing the virus from spreading.