Islamabad, Feb 1: Polio remains a serious public health concern in Pakistan as poliovirus has been detected in environmental samples collected from across all four provinces, marking the first such occurrence in 2025. Sewage samples collected between January 6 and 15 tested positive for poliovirus in 26 districts.
Among the affected regions, Sindh was the hardest hit, with 15 districts testing positive, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with 5 districts, and 3 districts each in Balochistan and Punjab. The presence of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in sewage is a significant concern, signaling that the virus is circulating in the environment.
Nationwide Polio Vaccination Drive to Begin February 3
In response to the growing threat, Pakistan is set to launch its first nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2025, from February 3 to 9. The drive aims to vaccinate over 4.54 million children across the country, particularly in high-risk areas.
The campaign will be conducted in two phases. The first phase includes a three-day vaccination drive, followed by two additional catch-up days in general areas. The second phase targets high-risk areas with a five-day campaign, featuring community-based vaccinations and special mobile teams.
Polio in Pakistan: A Persistent Threat
Despite years of efforts, polio continues to be a persistent threat in Pakistan. In 2024, the country reported 73 polio cases and over 480 positive environmental samples, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and vaccination efforts.
Polio is a highly contagious disease that causes irreversible paralysis and has no cure. The only preventive measure is the administration of multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and ensuring children complete the full immunization schedule.
Health authorities are urging parents and caregivers to take part in the upcoming vaccination campaign to protect their children from this debilitating disease. The Pakistan Polio Program organizes multiple mass vaccination drives annually, bringing vaccines directly to children’s doorsteps, and the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) also provides free vaccines against 12 childhood diseases at government health facilities.
The success of this campaign is critical to ensuring that polio does not continue to threaten the future of Pakistan’s children.
