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ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 (APP): The fifth and final nationwide anti-polio campaign of 2025 has been successfully concluded across the country, during which more than 44.6 million children were administered polio drops.
The campaign was inaugurated by Federal Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal, along with Federal Secretary Health and National Coordinator Muhammad Anwarul Haq, at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) for Polio Eradication, in the presence of representatives of international partner organizations and senior officials of the Pakistan Polio Programme.
According to details, the campaign achieved extensive coverage in all provinces and regions. In Punjab, approximately 22.9 million children were vaccinated, while around 10.6 million received drops in Sindh. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, over 7.15 million children were immunized, and in Balochistan, more than 2.58 million children were vaccinated against polio. In Islamabad, over 450,000 children received polio drops, whereas more than 274,000 children were vaccinated in Gilgit-Baltistan and over 714,000 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
During the campaign, national and provincial leadership conducted extensive field visits and chaired performance review meetings to assess vaccination coverage, campaign quality and overall operational performance. These monitoring and evaluation activities played a vital role in identifying gaps and ensuring timely corrective measures where required.
Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq, visited Peshawar and Lahore during the national campaign, where she held high-level meetings with provincial authorities to review the current polio situation and overall campaign outcomes.
During these visits, she also met frontline polio workers, appreciated their dedication and efforts, and listened to the challenges they face to further strengthen the planning and implementation of future campaigns.
As a result of sustained, high-quality vaccination campaigns in 2025, Pakistan has witnessed a significant decline in polio cases. The number of reported cases dropped from 74 in 2024 to 30 in 2025, reflecting notable progress compared to the previous year.
No polio case has been reported since September 2025, highlighting the significant gains achieved through comprehensive and continued preventive measures nationwide.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) reaffirmed that Pakistan is moving steadily on the path towards polio eradication. Sustained efforts, high-quality immunization campaigns and strong community engagement have played a critical role in this progress.
To maintain this momentum, continued monitoring and adherence to best practices in campaign implementation remain essential.
The NEOC urged all stakeholders, including parents, community leaders and health workers, to continue their support and cooperation, emphasizing that through collective commitment and coordinated action, Pakistan is gradually moving closer to the ultimate goal of becoming a polio-free nation.