Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched Pakistan's maiden nationwide anti-polio campaign for 2025 on Sunday, marking the start of this year's intensive efforts to eradicate the disease. Running from February 3 to 9, the campaign aims to administer polio drops to millions of children under the age of five.
At the launch ceremony held in Islamabad, the Prime Minister highlighted his government's steadfast commitment to eliminating polio from the country, which remains one of the last two endemic nations alongside Afghanistan. Sharif personally administered the oral polio vaccine to children, reinforcing the urgency of the situation.
The Prime Minister asserted, “The national polio vaccination drive would target millions of children to save their future and health.” He expressed hope and confidence in the dedicated vaccination teams. “They will work day and night to eradicate the disease, and will reach the far-flung areas and villages,” he said, underlining the importance of mobilizing resources effectively.
Despite global efforts, Pakistan faced significant challenges last year, with 77 reported cases of polio, which posed setbacks to the campaign. This year's first case was identified just last month in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan district, emphasizing the continued risks.
Sharif reiterated his resolve to eliminate polio at all costs and acknowledged the support from international partners. He extended his gratitude to organizations such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their contributions to the government’s vaccination efforts. He also mentioned the necessity of international collaboration to combat polio not only within Pakistan but also to help eradicate it from Afghanistan.
Dr. Mukhtar Bharat, the Prime Minister's Coordinator on National Health Services, joined the Prime Minister at the launch, stating, "We have highlighted the number of polio cases which were reported last year and have not hidden it from the international community." His comments reflect the government's commitment to maintaining transparency as they seek international cooperation.
Dr. Bharat emphasized the positive outcomes of various initiatives taken to combat the disease, citing the significant reduction of reported cases compared to previous years. The collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including health workers and governmental bodies, are being recognized as instrumental for progress.
Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, highlighted the importance of public engagement for the vaccination campaign, insisting, “Polio vaccination is a public campaign where all segments of society need to participate.” She urged parents to welcome vaccination teams and protect their children from this crippling disease.
Despite facing the threat of misinformation and violence against vaccination campaigns, the Prime Minister believes the collaborative efforts between communities and health professionals can lead to success. He articulated the specific goal of ensuring “the doors are opened for polio workers to vaccinate children,” which is fundamental to achieving widespread immunization.
Key to the campaign's success is the mobilization of over 400,000 polio workers, with 225,000 being female vaccinators, who will go door-to-door to administer vaccines and provide education about the importance of immunization.
Pakistan has struggled to convince some parents due to the influence of extremist propaganda falsely portraying the vaccine as harmful or part of conspiracies to sterilize Muslim populations. This issue poses one of the greatest barriers to achieving universal vaccination coverage.
The Prime Minister reassured the public of the government’s dedication to overcoming these obstacles, targeting all communities and ensuring high immunization rates among children. He declared the need for unity and collaboration, stating, “With the international coordination and support, we can eliminate this disease.”
With the launch of the 2025 polio campaign, the government is making clear its commitment to protect the health and future of its children. The resolve expressed by both the Prime Minister and health officials indicates hope for progress against this preventable disease, provided there is communal and international cooperation. The success of this initiative relies also on the community's response and engagement, as collective action is imperative to safeguard future generations.