Why Polio Vaccination Matters
- Polio is incurable but preventable. The oral polio vaccine (OPV) provides lifelong protection.
- Every child counts. Missing even one child leaves the virus a chance to spread.
- Pakistan’s challenge: Despite a 99.8% reduction in cases since 1994, polio remains endemic due to gaps in vaccination coverage, misinformation, and access issues in remote areas.
Current Campaign Statistics (2026)
- 44.3 million children vaccinated nationwide in the first campaign of 2026.
- 400,000 frontline health workers mobilized across 159 districts.
- Provincial coverage:
- Punjab: 22.9 million children
- Sindh: 10.5 million
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 7.1 million
- Balochistan: 2.3 million
- Islamabad, Gilgit‑Baltistan, AJK: ~1.4 million combined
Challenges Faced
- Misinformation & mistrust in some communities.
- Security risks for polio workers in conflict‑affected areas.
- Accessibility issues in remote villages and nomadic populations.
- Paralysis burden: Polio survivors face lifelong disability, limiting education, employment, and quality of life.
Upcoming Nationwide Campaign
The Government of Pakistan, in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, and the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative, has announced that a nationwide anti‑polio vaccination drive will launch on May 18, 2026.
This campaign aims to reach every child under five years old, ensuring no child is left vulnerable. Parents are strongly urged to cooperate with health workers and ensure their children receive the drops.
Zeenat Lab’s Commitment
Zeenat Laboratory proudly supports every cause for a polio‑free Pakistan. We stand with health workers and international partners in ensuring every child is vaccinated.