Pakistan kicked off a nationwide anti-polio campaign on Monday, aiming to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five as part of efforts to eliminate the crippling disease—one of the last remaining in the world.

Pakistan on Monday launched its third nationwide polio vaccination drive of the year, seeking to curb the spread of the virus that remains endemic in the country and neighboring Afghanistan.

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal officially inaugurated the week-long campaign at a ceremony in the capital Islamabad, according to a statement from the Health Ministry.

More than 45 million children under five are expected to receive the polio vaccine during the drive, which comes amid rising concerns after the virus was detected in 50 districts across the country.

“This is a critical moment in our fight against polio,” Kamal said at the ceremony. “I urge all parents to ensure their children receive the vaccine and are protected from this life-altering disease.”

Thousands of security personnel have been deployed nationwide to protect vaccination teams, who have frequently come under attack—especially in remote and restive regions. Since December 2012, nearly 150 people involved in polio campaigns have been killed across the country, according to government data.

Militant groups, particularly in the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have long targeted anti-polio efforts, spreading misinformation that the campaigns are part of a Western or anti-Muslim conspiracy. Many vaccinators, often women, have been threatened or killed while trying to administer doses to children.

Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two countries where polio is still classified as endemic. In 2024, Pakistan reported 74 cases of polio. So far in 2025, 10 cases have been confirmed.

Despite significant progress over the past decade, health authorities stress that continued vaccination drives and public cooperation are essential to fully eradicate the disease.v

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