LAHORE: Punjab is set to launch its first National Polio Immunisation Campaign of 2026 today (Monday) targeting 17.8 million children under the age of five in a decisive push to sustain pressure on the polio virus, which is showing signs of decline.

Emergency Operations Centre Coordinator, Adeel Tasawur, said the campaign marks a critical milestone in the country’s drive towards polio eradication.

He noted that recent epidemiological trends point to a visible reduction in polio virus circulation, underscoring the impact of repeated, high-quality immunisation campaigns. However, he stressed that maintaining momentum, continuity, and uninterrupted pressure on the virus remains essential to achieving complete eradication.

More than 200,000 (0.2m) polio workers will participate in the campaign nationwide, going door-to-door to vaccinate children.

In Lahore, over 14,000 polio workers will be deployed, while Rawalpindi will have more than 8,000 frontline workers engaged in the campaign.

He added that special focus is being placed on high-risk districts as well as mobile and migrant populations to ensure that no child is missed during the campaign.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2026