Pakistan has reported its second polio case of the year, as confirmed by the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication. The latest case was identified in Sindh’s Badin district, while the first case of 2025 was reported earlier from Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Health officials have expressed concern over the persistence of polio cases despite ongoing vaccination efforts. In 2024, the country recorded 74 polio cases, with Balochistan reporting the highest number at 27 cases, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 22 cases and Sindh with 23 cases. Punjab and Islamabad each recorded one case. These figures highlight the ongoing challenge of polio eradication, particularly in high-risk areas where resistance to vaccination, misinformation, and accessibility issues hinder immunization efforts.
To combat the spread of the virus, authorities recently concluded the first nationwide polio vaccination campaign of 2025, which took place from February 3 to 9. The campaign successfully immunized over 45 million children, achieving 99% of its target. Thousands of polio workers and volunteers participated in the door-to-door vaccination effort, ensuring that children across urban and rural areas received the life-saving polio drops.
Officials have reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating polio and are intensifying surveillance and outreach programs in vulnerable districts. The government, in collaboration with international health organizations, continues to push for stronger vaccination efforts to eliminate the disease once and for all. Authorities are also urging parents to ensure their children receive the polio vaccine during upcoming immunization drives to prevent further cases.
