ISLAMABAD: First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari has urged parents, community representatives and all relevant stakeholders to extend full cooperation to ensure the success of the November polio vaccination campaign.
In her message on the occasion of the campaign, the First Lady stressed that efforts must continue until Pakistan is completely free of polio and every child is protected against the crippling disease.
She said that polio has no cure and can cause lifelong disability, including permanent paralysis. However, the disease is preventable through vaccination.
The polio vaccination campaign, commencing today, will continue until November 8. Under the campaign, children in 97 selected districts across the country will be administered polio drops, with a target of vaccinating approximately 24 million children.
More than 200,000 frontline polio workers will participate in the nationwide campaign to ensure that every eligible child receives the vaccine.
The First Lady called upon parents and caregivers to ensure that every child under the age of five receives polio drops. She emphasized that the efforts of frontline workers in reaching every targeted community and ensuring vaccination coverage were of utmost importance.
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari said that Pakistan had witnessed a significant decline in polio cases since the launch of the National Polio Eradication Programme. However, she expressed serious concern over the seven polio cases reported in the country so far in 2026, stressing that the continued presence of the virus remained a major challenge.
She reiterated that the national goal was to make Pakistan polio-free by June 2027 and urged parents to ensure that their children also complete routine immunization according to the recommended schedule.
The First Lady further called on communities and parents to cooperate wholeheartedly with frontline polio workers and facilitate them in carrying out their vaccination duties.
She also paid tribute to frontline polio workers for their dedication and tireless efforts, particularly in reaching remote and difficult-to-access areas.
Aseefa Bhutto Zardari said the contribution of polio workers was vital to protecting children and eliminating the disease from the country.
She reaffirmed that the national efforts must continue until Pakistan achieves the goal of complete polio eradication.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026