Initiated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s second anti-polio effort for 2025 will run for seven days, from April 21 to April 27. More than 45 million youngsters younger than five will be vaccinated as part of the ongoing fight to end the paralysing disease.
During the opening event in Islamabad, Sharif emphasised the importance of parents and vaccination teams working together to guarantee that every kid receives polio drops. “If we work together, we can permanently eradicate this virus,” he stressed. Security measures have also been ramped up in sensitive areas to protect polio volunteers.
With Afghanistan, Pakistan is one of only two nations where polio is still a major health concern; six cases have been reported this year alone. Misconceptions about the vaccine and attacks on health workers have posed challenges to eradication efforts. Last year, 74 cases were recorded, and militant groups continue to target polio workers, complicating the mission further.
There have been ongoing challenges to Pakistan’s polio program since it began in 1994. However, with support from local and international organizations, the government remains optimistic about wiping out the disease through continued initiatives. Sharif called on citizens and institutions alike to be proactive in the fight, transforming the nation into “soldiers against poliovirus.”
