New polio vaccination drive begins today in worst-hit Balochistan

• The critical polio campaign will last seven days.
• EOC spox urges parents to ensure children are vaccinated.
• 2.6 million children under the age of five will be vaccinated.

The government is set to launch a crucial seven-day polio campaign today (December 30) in Balochistan to vaccinate over 2.6 million children under the age of five against the paralytic polio virus.

Pakistan has witnessed an alarming rise in the spread of the polio virus and reported 67 cases of the crippling disease in 2024. Of these, 27 have been reported from the South West province alone.

In light of the growing threat, officials from the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) announced the launch of a new vaccination initiative in an effort to eradicate the virus and protect young children from lifelong paralysis.

“We urge all parents to make sure their children receive the polio vaccine. Your cooperation is vital to securing our children’s future,” said an EOC spokesperson.

Authorities hope that with community support, Balochistan may see a reduction in polio cases in the coming months.

Pakistan is one of two polio-endemic countries in the world, along with Afghanistan, and the number of annual cases had declined significantly in the country until the recent surge in cases.

The Pakistan Polio Eradication Program explains that polio is a “paralyzing” disease with no “cure” and “completion of routine vaccination for all children under the age of five” simply gives them “high immunity against this terrible disease”.

The government has launched multiple vaccination drives as part of its efforts to eradicate the disease from the country. The latest was the nationwide campaign, the last for 2024, earlier this month.

However, the country’s rigorous efforts to eradicate polio face significant challenges, particularly in areas where insecurity, misinformation and parental refusals hinder vaccination campaigns.

With more than 60% of children infected with polio in 2024 not receiving routine immunization, health authorities have established a high-level committee to improve coordination between the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) and the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). .