Microscopic view of the poliovirus, the target of Pakistan's latest nationwide vaccination campaign aimed at eradicating the disease and protecting millions of children.

Pakistan launched a nationwide polio vaccination campaign this week, aiming to immunize 45 million children under five after a concerning rise in cases. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the campaign, the third this year, to combat a disease that remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Health workers, accompanied by police escorts due to security concerns, will visit homes to provide polio vaccines and Vitamin A supplements to strengthen children’s immunity. The campaign is scheduled to run until November 3.

Polio, a highly contagious virus that can lead to paralysis and death, has seen a resurgence in Pakistan, with 41 cases reported across 71 districts in 2024. Most of these cases have emerged in southwestern Balochistan and southern Sindh provinces, with additional reports from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. The recent rise is particularly alarming as cases have spread beyond the traditional hotspots in the northwest bordering Afghanistan. In September, the Taliban in Afghanistan halted door-to-door vaccination efforts, raising fears that the virus could spread unchecked across borders due to frequent travel between the two countries.

Authorities have expressed renewed commitment to eradicating polio from Pakistan. Ayesha Raza Farooq, an advisor for the polio eradication program, emphasized the importance of this campaign given the growing number of cases. “We are re-energized in our efforts to combat polio,” she stated, urging full cooperation from the public to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated.

The vaccination efforts face challenges beyond just logistics. Misinformation and mistrust have long been obstacles in polio eradication campaigns. Certain militant groups falsely claim that vaccination efforts are a Western scheme intended to harm Muslim children, which has led to targeted violence against health workers and their escorts. Despite these risks, teams continue to reach out to communities, with the support of local leaders and authorities, to dispel myths and encourage participation in the campaign.

In addition to the vaccination efforts within Pakistan, the situation in neighboring Afghanistan affects the success of these initiatives. Health officials warn that the Taliban’s recent restrictions on door-to-door vaccinations in Afghanistan could have cross-border repercussions, making Pakistan’s efforts even more critical. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Afghanistan has recorded 18 polio cases this year, which further complicates the region’s fight against the virus.

The government and health officials are focusing on building public awareness and support. Anwarul Haq, coordinator for the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, stressed that polio has no cure and can only be prevented through vaccination. He urged parents to cooperate with health teams and understand the importance of immunization for their children’s future.

This campaign highlights the complex landscape of health initiatives in Pakistan, where political, social, and security issues intersect with public health efforts. As Pakistan pushes forward with its goal to eliminate polio, the current drive reflects both the progress made and the challenges that remain in this decades-long struggle. The commitment of frontline health workers, coupled with public cooperation, remains essential to achieving a polio-free future in Pakistan and its neighboring regions.

Image is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license and was created by NIAID.