PESHAWAR
\nThe ongoing intensive and synchronized polio vaccination campaigns across Pakistan and Afghanistan have renewed optimism among health experts for a substantial decline in cases of the crippling disease within the virus\u2019s last epidemiological block.
\n\u201cCurrently both Pakistan and Afghanistan have simultaneously launched immunization campaigns with targets of covering millions of children and this approach of coordination in vaccination will prove beneficial in ongoing efforts for eradication of polio from the globe,\u201d informs Zia-ur-Rehman, Spokesperson for Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme.
\nTalking to APP during his visit to Peshawar, Zia apprised that from September 1, 2025
\nvaccination campaigns have been launched on both sides of the border and around 28.7 million children will be administered polio drops in 99 districts across Pakistan and 1.4 million in Afghanistan\u2019s eastern districts.
\nSimilarly, he continued, from September 15, next, a concentrated campaign will be launched for under-five children in Southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the bordering areas of Afghanistan where maximum number of cases are reported due to access issues and poor campaign quality.
\nWhereas in Afghanistan the ongoing campaign is launched in eastern region of the country covering Ningarhar, Kunar, Laghman and Nuristan province which all are in the bordering areas of Pakistan and will be much impactful in curbing spread of the disease in the region.
\nIn current year, 24 cases of polio have been reported in Pakistan including 16 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with maximum concentration in Southern district.
\nAmong these 16 cases in KP, 14 reported from South KP, four in Tank, Three in Lakki Marwat , Three in Bannu , Three in NorthWaziristan and one from D.I.Khan. Two cases one each in Torghar and Kohistan Lower district have been reported in the current year.
\nZia said Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where polio virus exists and is infecting children.
\nAccording to Health Ministry, Afghanistan has opted for advanced immunization approach by combining fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (FIPV) and Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), aiming to protect children under the age of five against the threat of poliovirus.
\nThe FIPV plays a critical role in reducing the risk of wild poliovirus transmission by priming immunity against the virus. It also boosts immunity in children who have already received OPV, strengthening overall protection, Zia explained.
\nFollowing the recommendations from Technical Advisory Group (TAG), an independent group of national and global experts, Pakistan is also planning so include FIPV in its immunization programme with the objective of increasing immunity of target population, he added.
\nHe said officials of Pakistan and Afghanistan are joining hands with the agreement to strengthen collaborative efforts for eliminating the disease and combating refusals to polio vaccination.
\nIn this connection Zia mentioned participation of Afghanistan\u2019s Consul General, Syed Abdul Jabbar Takhari on September 1, 2025 at inauguration of polio vaccination campaign in Sindh as a good sign reflecting seriousness of both the governments in making their countries polio free.
\n\u201cThis cross-border collaboration and a unified strategy is essential and very appreciating for achieving the goal of global eradication of polio by making both Pakistan and Afghanistan free from the virus,\u201d Zia remarked.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR The ongoing intensive and synchronized polio vaccination campaigns across Pakistan and Afghanistan have renewed optimism among health experts for a substantial decline in cases of the crippling disease within the virus\u2019s last epidemiological block. \u201cCurrently both Pakistan and Afghanistan have simultaneously launched immunization campaigns with targets of covering millions of children and this approach […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-501664","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-peshawar"},"yoast_head":"\n