Pakistan Reports Eighth Polio Case of 2026 as Vaccination Campaign Targets 97 Districts

Pakistan Polio Cases 2026: Six cases reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two in Sindh; nationwide campaign aims to vaccinate more than 24 million children under five.

Pakistan has reported its eighth polio case of 2026 after the virus was detected in a child from Khyber district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising concerns over the continued spread of the preventable disease.

According to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), six of the eight polio cases reported across the country this year have been recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the remaining two cases were reported in Sindh.

Health authorities have reiterated that polio is an incurable viral disease that can cause permanent paralysis, particularly among children under the age of five. However, timely and repeated vaccination can provide effective protection against the virus.

Vaccination Campaign Targets 97 Districts

Meanwhile, Pakistan launched a Sub-National Polio Immunisation Campaign from November 2 to November 8, 2026, targeting 97 selected districts across the country.

Under the campaign, health authorities aim to administer polio vaccine drops to more than 24 million children below the age of five.

Polio vaccination teams are visiting households to ensure that every eligible child receives the vaccine. Parents have been urged to cooperate with frontline workers and ensure that no child is missed.

Parents Urged to Complete Children’s Vaccination

The NEOC has also advised parents to ensure that their children receive routine immunisation alongside polio vaccine drops to protect them against other potentially dangerous diseases.

The national polio emergency response centre has called on religious scholars, teachers, community leaders, social activists and parents to support the country’s efforts to eliminate polio.

Authorities emphasise that public cooperation and consistent vaccination are essential to stopping the transmission of the virus and protecting future generations.

Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under five. Although there is no cure, repeated doses of the polio vaccine can provide strong protection and prevent lifelong disability.