A week-long sub-national anti-polio vaccination campaign will begin on November 2 in 97 selected districts across Pakistan and run until November 8. The drive aims to give polio drops to around 24 million children under the age of five.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal formally launched the third Sub-National Immunization Days campaign of 2026 by administering drops to children at the National Emergency Operations Centre in Islamabad. More than 200,000 frontline workers will take part in the effort.
Balochistan prepares to vaccinate 2.2 million children
Inam Ul Haq, coordinator of the Emergency Operation Center in Balochistan, said the campaign would begin across the province on Monday, November 2. He said over 2.2 million children would be vaccinated in 31 districts.
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To carry out the work, 8,888 mobile and stationary teams have been formed. The province has reported no new polio cases since November 2024.
Islamabad launch draws health officials and development partners
The ceremony at the NEOC brought together its coordinator, Muhammad Anwar ul Haq, DG FDI Musa Khan, and WHO Deputy Representative Ellen Thom. National core team members, development partners including CDC and Rotary, media representatives, parents and children also attended.
Officials said the campaign reflects a shared commitment to ending polio in Pakistan. They said that with the support of frontline workers, partners and communities, every child can be protected and a polio-free Pakistan can be achieved.
