ISLAMABAD: The Japanese government has announced a new $4.3 million grant to procure essential oral polio vaccines as part of its continued support to Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts.
The Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) will use these funds to procure more than 28 million vaccine doses to support polio campaigns in 2027, a press release of the Japanese embassy said on Friday.
Pakistan is one of only two countries in the world where wild poliovirus transmission has not yet been eliminated.
Fund will be utilised to purchase 28m doses
The country has made significant progress in reducing polio transmission, with cases declining from 74 in 2024 to 31 in 2025, and eight cases reported so far in 2026.
Six of the eight cases in 2026 have been reported from south Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where insecurity and access constraints continue to pose significant challenges to reaching every child. The continued detection of poliovirus underscores the need for sustained efforts to eliminate transmission everywhere and protect every child.
In an urgent effort to eradicate the incurable disease, the government, with support from partners, has developed the National Emergency Action Plan 2026–27 under the Roadmap to Zero, setting out a focused approach to interrupting poliovirus transmission by the end of 2027.
Each national immunisation drive targets over 45 million children under five, supported by more than 400,000 frontline health workers who play a vital role in reaching communities and delivering vaccines.
“The Government of Japan’s contribution comes at a critical time as Pakistan intensifies its efforts to interrupt poliovirus transmission and eliminate this preventable disease,” said Ms Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication.
“Every dose of vaccine supported through Japan’s contribution brings us closer to a polio-free Pakistan.
“We are grateful to the Government and people of Japan for their continued commitment and partnership in Pakistan’s efforts to eradicate polio and protect every child,” Ms Raza said.
Ambassador of Japan Akamatsu Shuichi reaffirmed Japan’s continued commitment to supporting Pakistan’s health priorities.
“Since 1996, Japan has consistently supported Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts, working closely with Unicef and other partners. Today’s new grant, which has been increased from last year, demonstrates Japan’s continued support for our shared goal of achieving a polio-free Pakistan,” he said.
“Japan fully supports Pakistan’s determination to achieve the goal of interrupting poliovirus transmission by the end of 2027.”
The newly signed grant will provide critical funding to the PEI for the procurement and delivery of polio vaccines, supporting ongoing progress to interrupt the spread of poliovirus and sustain the gains achieved in recent years.
Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2026
