Shahzad Rasheed
PESHAWAR: The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in coordination with the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), will launch a seven-day sub-national polio vaccination campaign across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from September 21 to 27, 2026.
The campaign will target approximately 7.3 million children under the age of five across 37 designated districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. At the national level, the campaign aims to reach more than 31 million children across 115 districts.
The campaign assumes added significance following the recent confirmation of Pakistan’s fourth polio case of 2026 in Bannu district, southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Security-related access challenges in parts of the district have previously affected the ability of vaccination teams to reach all eligible children, making continued and sustained vaccination efforts essential.
During the campaign, trained frontline polio workers will conduct door-to-door visits to administer oral polio vaccine to children under five. Parents and caregivers are urged to cooperate fully with vaccination teams and ensure that their children receive the vaccine when visited by the teams.
Recognizing the commitment and sacrifices of frontline workers, the NEOC has increased the daily stipend of more than 400,000 polio workers by 28 percent ahead of the campaign. The measure acknowledges the critical role these workers play in reaching children, particularly in challenging and hard-to-access areas.
Health authorities have called upon parents, caregivers, communities, and all relevant stakeholders to support vaccination teams and help ensure that no child is missed. Every child vaccinated is a step towards a polio-free Pakistan.
