Pakistan to Launch Special Polio Vaccination Drive From May 18
Pakistani authorities have announced the launch of a special polio vaccination drive beginning May 18, as part of the country's sustained national effort to eradicate poliovirus from the remaining endemic pockets. The campaign is expected to target millions of children under the age of five across high-risk districts and union councils.
Pakistan remains one of the last two countries in the world alongside Afghanistan where wild poliovirus transmission has not been fully interrupted. The May drive is part of a series of intensified immunisation rounds designed to close immunity gaps identified in previous campaigns through environmental surveillance and case tracking.
Health officials have emphasised the importance of community cooperation and the role of frontline polio workers in reaching children in remote and underserved areas. Previous campaigns have faced challenges including vaccine hesitancy, population movement, and access difficulties in conflict-affected or geographically isolated zones.
The announcement signals continued commitment by the Pakistani government and its international health partners, including the World Health Organization and UNICEF, to achieve a polio-free certification. Any lapse in coverage risks re-emergence of the virus in previously cleared regions, making consistent campaign execution critical to the national eradication timeline.
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