ISLAMABAD (HRNW) – The Government of Pakistan has finalized the decision to launch the second major National Immunization Days (NIDs) of the year next month. According to official sources, the campaign will run from April 13 to April 19, conducted simultaneously in Pakistan and Afghanistan to eliminate the polio virus from the region.
Vaccination Targets and Regional Coverage
Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the last two countries in the world where polio is still endemic. To address this challenge:
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Pakistan: The campaign aims to vaccinate a total of 45.3 million children across 169 districts.
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Afghanistan: The drive will be completed across 382 districts in a single phase during the same timeframe.
Provincial Breakdown of Targets
In Pakistan, the provincial targets for children to receive drops are as follows:
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Punjab: 23.4 million children
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Sindh: 10.5 million children
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 7.3 million children
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Balochistan: 2.6 million children
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Islamabad: 450,000 children
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Azad Kashmir: 710,000 children
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Gilgit-Baltistan: 280,000 children
Frontline Workers and Operations
To ensure the success of this massive undertaking, over 412,000 frontline workers will be deployed:
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343,000+ Mobile Teams will conduct door-to-door vaccinations.
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10,000+ Fixed Teams and 12,000+ Transit Teams will be stationed at bus stands, railway stations, and public points.
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While the campaign is set for 3 days in most parts of the country, a 5-day special drive will be conducted in high-risk areas using community-based vaccination models.
Special Cross-Border Strategy
A comprehensive plan has been established to prevent the transmission of the virus across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Fixed and mobile teams will be stationed at all crossing points to vaccinate every child under the age of five crossing the border. Additionally, children aged 6 to 59 months will receive Vitamin A supplements to boost their overall immunity.
Background and International Implications
The urgency of these campaigns is underscored by the reporting of 31 polio cases in Pakistan and 9 cases in Afghanistan during 2025. Due to the continued presence of the virus, both nations face conditional international travel restrictions. Achieving 100% success in these vaccination drives is considered essential for the removal of these global travel barriers and the ultimate eradication of the disease.
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