ISLAMABAD, June 5: Pakistan’s latest sub-national polio vaccination campaign reached more than 18.6 million children across 79 high-risk districts, achieving 98 per cent coverage despite over 22,000 parental refusals during the week-long drive conducted from May 18 to May 24, health authorities said.
Pakistan polio campaign achieves 98pc coverage
The Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) reviewed the campaign’s performance during a recent meeting and reported that 18.6 million children under the age of five received oral polio vaccine doses. The drive targeted approximately 19 million children in selected high-risk districts as part of efforts to interrupt poliovirus transmission.
According to officials, the national refusal rate remained low at 0.12 per cent. However, 22,320 parents declined vaccination for their children, highlighting the continuing challenge posed by vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
Parental refusals remain a challenge
Health authorities said most missed children were linked to temporary absence, population movement and access difficulties, while refusal cases were concentrated in a limited number of districts. Community engagement efforts and post-campaign follow-up visits helped vaccinators reach many children who had initially been missed.
The campaign was carried out by more than 160,000 trained frontline workers deployed across the country, with Pakistan and Afghanistan conducting synchronised vaccination efforts to reduce cross-border transmission risks.
Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative intensifies efforts
The latest campaign follows a nationwide vaccination drive in April that reached more than 44.8 million children and achieved household coverage of 99 per cent, according to official data. Health authorities have described 2026 as a critical year in the country’s push to eliminate poliovirus transmission.
Pakistan remains one of only two countries where wild poliovirus remains endemic. Officials say repeated vaccination campaigns are necessary to build immunity among children and prevent outbreaks of the paralysing disease.
High-risk districts remain focus of vaccination drives
The National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication said the May campaign specifically targeted districts considered at elevated risk of poliovirus transmission. Authorities have pledged to continue intensive immunisation efforts, surveillance and community outreach programmes to close remaining immunity gaps.
With coverage levels remaining high despite pockets of resistance, officials say the Pakistan polio campaign continues to make progress towards the country’s goal of eradicating the disease and protecting every child from lifelong paralysis.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, June 5, 2026
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