ISLAMABAD: Pakistani health authorities have vaccinated 18.2 million children in five days of an ongoing week-long anti-polio drive, the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) said on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Polio is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause paralysis and death, primarily affecting children under five. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries where polio remains endemic, according to the World Health Organization.
The NEOC reported that the campaign aims to reach over 40 million children nationwide. The drive involves door-to-door vaccinations and fixed immunization points, with thousands of health workers deployed across the country.
Pakistan has made significant progress in reducing polio cases, with only a handful of cases reported in 2025. However, challenges remain due to vaccine misinformation and security concerns in some regions.
Health officials urge parents to ensure their children receive the polio vaccine to protect them from the disease and help achieve global eradication.
