• 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 26 already infected districts.
  • As of December 27, 2024, sewage samples collected between December 2 - 12, 2024 from Hyderabad, Jacobabad, Jamshoro, Kambar, Karachi Central, Karachi East, Karachi Keamari, Karachi Korangi, Karachi Malir, Karachi South, Mirpur Khas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sujawal, Sukkur, Chaman, Loralai, Pishin, Quetta, Zhob, Islamabad, Bajour, Peshawar, DG Khan, Lahore, Multan & Rawalpindi were tested positive for WPV1.
  • This year, 67 polio cases have been reported in the country.
  • 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.
  • Last week, a sub-national Polio vaccination campaign was carried out across Punjab, Sindh, KP, AJK, GB, and Islamabad, immunizing over 42 million children. The campaign's second phase is scheduled to begin on December 30 in Balochistan.
  • 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.