Aseefa urges public support as nationwide anti-polio drive starts on April 13

ISLAMABAD: First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari has called on the public to cooperate with the nationwide anti-polio campaign beginning on April 13, saying the country is at a decisive stage in its effort to eliminate the virus.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Aseefa urged families and communities across Pakistan to fully support the week-long vaccination campaign, which will continue until April 19. The drive aims to vaccinate more than 45 million children under the age of five in all provinces and regions.

She said Pakistan was at a “critical juncture” in the fight against polio, adding that years of continued work had brought the country closer to eradication.

“Years of sustained effort have brought the country closer to eradication, with the coming phase representing the final stretch where reaching every child is essential,” she stated.

Aseefa said frontline health workers would carry out door-to-door visits in urban areas as well as remote localities during the campaign.

“From April 13 to 19, frontline health workers will conduct door-to-door visits, covering urban centres as well as remote communities.”

“In addition to administering polio drops, children will also receive Vitamin A supplementation to support immunity and healthy growth,” Aseefa said.

She also referred to what she described as visible progress in the campaign against the disease. According to her statement, 31 polio cases were reported across the country in 2025, while only one case has been recorded so far in 2026.

At the same time, she warned that the danger had not been eliminated.

“As long as the virus exists anywhere, it remains a risk everywhere.”

The first lady stressed that parents and caregivers should make sure children receive the vaccine in every campaign, in addition to routine immunisation.

She also acknowledged the role of frontline workers, saying their continued efforts were vital to reaching households across the country. Aseefa said ending polio was now within reach, but success depended on the participation of parents, families, communities and institutions, while emphasising that no child should be left out.

The campaign will be carried out in coordination with Afghanistan as part of efforts to stop cross-border transmission and address the remaining gaps in eradication work.

Nationwide campaign targets children under five

The anti-polio drive is part of Pakistan’s continuing effort to eradicate the disease through repeated vaccination campaigns and routine immunisation. The upcoming round will cover children under five years of age across the country, with teams visiting homes to administer polio drops and provide Vitamin A supplementation.

Aseefa’s appeal comes ahead of the launch of the campaign, with authorities seeking broad public cooperation to ensure that every eligible child is reached during the April 13-19 exercise.