Pakistan’s final nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2025 is well underway, with authorities confirming that nearly 38 million children have already been immunised as the drive entered its fourth day. The campaign, which began on December 15 and will continue through December 21, is a critical push in the country’s long-running effort to eliminate polio once and for all.
Pakistan remains one of only two countries in the world, alongside Afghanistan, where polio has yet to be eradicated. In line with coordinated regional efforts, the current vaccination drive is being carried out simultaneously in both countries to curb cross-border transmission of the virus and close remaining immunity gaps. Health officials say this synchronised approach is essential to interrupting the spread of the disease, particularly in high-risk and mobile populations.
According to the National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), more than 37.8 million children under the age of five received polio drops during the first three days of the campaign alone. Punjab has recorded the highest number of vaccinations so far, with approximately 20.8 million children immunised. Sindh follows with more than 7.4 million children vaccinated, while over 6.1 million children have been covered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In Balochistan, vaccination teams have reached more than 2.1 million children.
Smaller regions have also reported strong progress. Officials in Islamabad confirmed that over 417,000 children have received the vaccine. In Gilgit-Baltistan, more than 256,000 children were immunised, while Azad Jammu and Kashmir recorded over 689,000 vaccinations during the ongoing drive. Authorities say these figures reflect extensive planning and coordination across all provinces and regions.
More than 400,000 frontline polio workers are participating in the campaign, moving door to door to ensure no child is missed. Health officials have once again urged parents and caregivers to cooperate fully with vaccination teams, stressing that polio is incurable and can cause permanent paralysis. They have appealed to families to ensure every child under the age of five receives the vaccine, regardless of previous doses.
Despite significant progress, challenges remain. Low routine immunisation coverage, vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and frequent population movement continue to create pockets where the virus can survive. Health authorities have repeatedly emphasised that the success of Pakistan’s polio eradication programme depends heavily on public trust, community engagement, and consistent participation particularly in high-risk areas. Officials remain hopeful that sustained efforts, combined with strong community support, will bring the country closer to ending polio transmission for good.