Lahore — Punjab kicks off its opening National Polio Immunisation Campaign of 2026 today (Monday), aiming to reach 17.8 million children under five across the province in a renewed effort to keep the polio virus firmly on the back foot.
With recent data showing a clear drop in virus circulation thanks to sustained high-quality drives, health officials are determined not to ease up now. The campaign arrives at a pivotal moment — every missed dose risks letting the virus regain ground, especially among vulnerable groups.
Federal Minister for Health, Syed Mustafa Kamal announces the launch of Pakistan’s first nationwide Polio Vaccination Campaign of 2026 🇵🇰🙌
✅From Feb 02–08, over 45 million children will be vaccinated by 400,000+ dedicated polio heroes, going door-to-door to protect our future.… pic.twitter.com/YButhCPC4H— Pak Fights Polio (@PakFightsPolio) January 30, 2026
Key Highlights
- Nationwide: Over 200,000 frontline polio workers will go door-to-door to administer oral polio vaccine.
- Lahore-specific: More than 14,000 workers deployed to cover the city’s children under five.
- Rawalpindi: Over 8,000 frontline workers engaged.
- Total target in Punjab: 17.8 million children under five years old.
- Special emphasis on high-risk districts, mobile communities, and migrant populations to ensure no child slips through the cracks.
- Campaign runs as part of the national push, coordinated by the Emergency Operations Centre and provincial teams.
Campaign Marks Critical Step in Eradication Drive
Adeel Tasawur, Coordinator at the Emergency Operations Centre, described the launch as a “critical milestone.” He pointed to encouraging epidemiological trends — fewer positive environmental samples and cases — as proof that repeated, well-executed campaigns are paying off.
Yet the message from health teams is clear: complacency is the real enemy. Polio eradication demands relentless pressure — door-to-door access, community trust, and zero tolerance for missed children. In urban centers like Lahore, where populations shift quickly, reaching every household takes careful planning and thousands of dedicated workers walking the streets.
For parents across the city, it’s a familiar sight: vaccinators in bright vests, marking tiny fingers with ink, offering reassurance that this simple drop protects against a crippling disease. The scale of this effort — 14,000 workers just in Lahore — shows the province’s serious commitment to finishing the job.
What’s Next in Punjab’s Polio Fight
The current drive sets the tone for 2026’s multi-round strategy. Success hinges on maintaining these massive mobilizations, especially in high-risk and hard-to-reach areas. Officials are optimistic: if momentum holds, Pakistan edges closer to becoming polio-free — a victory for every child who receives that vital dose and every family spared the fear of the virus.
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This campaign is more than numbers — it’s a collective stand by communities and health workers alike to protect the next generation from a preventable threat.
