Pakistan Launches Final Nationwide Polio Drive Amid Security Threats

Pakistan launched its last nationwide anti‑polio vaccination campaign on Monday, aiming to protect 45 million children after 30 cases of the disease were reported since January.

Polio Remains a Persistent Threat

The World Health Organization notes that Pakistan and its neighbor Afghanistan are the only two countries where polio has not yet been eradicated. Pakistan has recorded 30 polio cases this year, a decrease from the 74 reported in the same period last year. These numbers underscore the ongoing risk of the potentially paralyzing virus.

The Fifth National Campaign of 2024

This year’s drive marks the fifth national vaccination campaign. The government has mobilized more than 400,000 front‑line health workers to conduct door‑to‑door visits across the country. Workers will cover Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Gilgit‑Baltistan, Pakistan‑administered Kashmir, and the capital Islamabad.

Security Challenges for Vaccination Teams

Militants have repeatedly targeted vaccination workers and the police assigned to protect them, spreading false rumors that the campaigns are a Western plot to sterilize Muslim children. In response, authorities deployed thousands of police officers to guard the teams following intelligence reports of possible attacks. Since the 1990s, more than 200 polio workers and police officers have been killed in such attacks.

A Call for Parental Cooperation

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal urged parents to cooperate with the vaccination teams. He said, “This is not just about numbers. Each case threatens a child’s future and the safety of our communities,” emphasizing the broader impact of polio on society.

Coordinated Effort with Afghanistan

The government’s statement highlighted that the December polio campaign is synchronized with Afghanistan. It added, “The December polio campaign is synchronized with Afghanistan, ensuring both countries boost immunity together to interrupt cross‑border transmission,” underscoring the regional nature of the eradication effort.

Progress Toward Eradication

Officials said Pakistan has made significant progress in containing the virus. They added, “We are closer than ever to achieving eradication, and this campaign represents a vital final push to stop the virus everywhere it still circulates,” reflecting confidence in the current strategy.

Key Takeaways

• Pakistan targets 45 million children in its final anti‑polio campaign after 30 cases since January.
• More than 400,000 health workers will conduct door‑to‑door vaccinations across all provinces and Islamabad.
• Security threats remain high, with militants targeting workers and over 200 casualties since the 1990s.

The campaign represents a decisive step toward eradicating polio in Pakistan, a country that, along with Afghanistan, is one of only two nations where the disease still circulates. By coordinating efforts with Afghanistan and deploying extensive protection for vaccination teams, Pakistan aims to halt the virus’s spread once and for all.