• In the past week, the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health confirmed the detection of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in environmental samples collected from 10 already infected districts.
  • As of 20 December 2024, sewage samples collected from Gwadar, Sibi, Khuzdar, Dukki, Hub, Lasbela, Noshki, Bannu, DI Khan and Lahore between November 18-25 were positive for WPV1.
  • This year, 64 polio cases have been reported in the country. The resurgence of poliovirus has put children nationwide at serious risk from a disease that can leave them paralyzed for life.
  • Polio is incurable, yet entirely preventable with the help of multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine that the Polio Programme brings to children at their doorsteps multiple times a year. Similarly, routine vaccination against 12 childhood preventable diseases, provided free of charge by the Expanded Programme for Immunization, gives additional immunity boost to children to be able to fight off infections like polio.
  • The Pakistan Polio Programme is conducting the last polio campaign of the year this week to vaccinate over 44 million children under five with the oral polio vaccine and keep them protected from paralytic polio.
  • It is critical for parents and caregivers to ensure that their children under the age of five receive two drops of the oral polio vaccine in this and every subsequent campaign whenever a vaccinator knocks on their door to ensure that their children are protected against polio’s paralyzing effects.