Islamabad, February 2, 2026 — The Europe Today: Pakistan on Monday launched its first nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2026, aiming to immunize more than 45 million children from February 2 to February 8, according to the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC).
The campaign was inaugurated in Islamabad by the prime minister’s focal person for polio eradication, Ayesha Raza Farooq. Representatives from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) were also present at the launch ceremony, media reports said.
Addressing the gathering, Farooq reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating polio, describing the disease as a critical public health challenge and the ongoing campaign as “crucial” to ending transmission. She emphasized that sustained vaccination efforts, community engagement, and coordinated action among stakeholders remain essential to achieving a polio-free Pakistan.
Pakistan remains one of the few countries worldwide where polio is still endemic, prompting authorities to intensify nationwide immunization drives. Health officials have urged parents and caregivers to ensure that all eligible children receive polio drops during the campaign to protect them from lifelong paralysis and help eliminate the virus from the country.
The NEOC said comprehensive measures have been put in place to ensure effective coverage across all regions, with thousands of vaccination teams deployed nationwide to reach children at their doorsteps.
