Polio in Pakistan

For over 25 years, the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme has fought to eliminate the poliovirus, powered by 260,000 frontline workers, public health experts, and the world’s largest surveillance network.

Cases Reduced

> 99%

Since the 1990s

Frontline Force

260,000+

Vaccination workers

Active Labs

2 WHO Labs

World-class analysis

National Mission

100% Free

Vaccines for every child

What is Polio?

Polio is a highly contagious virus that mainly affects young children. The virus attacks the nervous system and can cause permanent, lifelong paralysis in a matter of hours.

  • Transmission: It spreads from person to person through contaminated water, food, or poor community sanitation.
  • Symptoms: Early signs include fever, fatigue, headaches, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs.
  • Prevention: Polio has no cure. It can only be prevented through repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine.

Our Mission & Actions

With Pakistan and Afghanistan being the last remaining areas with active wild poliovirus reservoirs, our mission is to make Pakistan 100% polio-free. To achieve this, the programme:

Immunization campaigns

Conducts nationwide door-to-door vaccination campaigns to protect every child under age five.

Surveillance Testing

Uses sensitive sewage testing and laboratory networks to track and stop the virus quickly.

Social Awareness

Builds community awareness to answer vaccine hesitancy and encourage families to vaccinate.