Pakistan has reported two new cases of Polio in 2026, increasing the total number of infections this year to three.
Cases Detected in KP Regions
According to Beyond Time News, health officials confirmed that the latest cases emerged from Bannu and North Waziristan.
One case was identified in Jani Khel (Bannu), while the other surfaced in Gariom (North Waziristan). Authorities say these areas remain difficult to access for vaccination teams.
Challenges for Vaccination Campaigns
Security concerns continue to hinder anti-polio efforts in certain regions. In some union councils, health workers cannot safely carry out door-to-door vaccination campaigns.
This lack of access increases the risk of virus spread, especially among children who miss routine immunization.
Nationwide Vaccination Drive Continues
Despite these challenges, Pakistan has made significant progress in its nationwide anti-polio campaign. The National Emergency Operations Centre reported that over 44.5 million children received polio drops during a recent six-day drive.
Read more:PM Shehbaz Reaffirms Commitment to Child Health, Polio Eradication in Meeting with UNICEF Delegation
Provincial Vaccination Breakdown
Health authorities shared detailed figures from across the country:
- Punjab: Over 22.9 million children vaccinated
- Sindh: Around 10.3 million children immunized
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Approximately 7.15 million children covered
- Balochistan: About 2.58 million children vaccinated
- Azad Jammu and Kashmir: Over 717,000 children reached
- Gilgit-Baltistan: Around 292,000 children vaccinated
- Islamabad: More than 441,000 children immunized
Massive Effort by Health Workers
More than 400,000 frontline workers took part in the campaign, going door to door to ensure children received the vaccine.
Health officials stress that consistent vaccination remains key to eliminating polio. However, improving access to high-risk areas will be critical to achieving this goal.
