ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Pakistan has reported its eighth polio case of 2026 after the latest infection was confirmed in Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising concerns about the continued circulation of the potentially paralysing disease among children.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) confirmed the latest case and urged parents, healthcare workers and communities to strengthen their participation in nationwide immunisation efforts to prevent further infections.
According to the latest official figures, six of the eight polio cases recorded in Pakistan this year have emerged from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the remaining two infections were reported in Sindh.
The provincial distribution highlights the continuing challenges faced by health authorities in preventing the transmission of poliovirus, particularly in areas where children may remain vulnerable because of missed vaccination opportunities.
Officials have emphasised that polio has no cure but can be prevented through vaccination. Parents have therefore been urged to ensure that children receive all recommended vaccine doses to protect them against the disease.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounts for majority of cases
The confirmation of another infection in Khyber district has renewed attention towards polio prevention efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
With six cases reported in the province, health authorities face the challenge of reaching every eligible child through regular immunisation services and special vaccination campaigns.
The remaining two cases recorded in Sindh also indicate that poliovirus transmission remains a concern beyond a single province.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under five years of age. In severe cases, it can cause permanent paralysis and, in some circumstances, can become life-threatening.
The virus spreads mainly through the faecal-oral route, particularly in areas where sanitation and hygiene conditions are inadequate.
Although there is no treatment that can reverse paralysis caused by polio, repeated vaccination can provide strong protection and help prevent the spread of infection.
Health officials have repeatedly stressed that every eligible child must receive vaccination during each campaign, even if the child has already received drops during previous rounds.
Nationwide vaccination campaign begins November 2
Meanwhile, Pakistan is preparing to launch a sub-national polio vaccination campaign on Monday, November 2, across 97 selected districts.
The campaign will continue until November 8, with the objective of administering oral polio vaccine drops to more than 24 million children under the age of five.
Vaccination teams will work to reach eligible children in selected districts and ensure that as many households as possible are covered during the campaign period.
The initiative is part of the country’s continuing efforts to interrupt poliovirus transmission and prevent additional infections.
Health authorities are encouraging parents to cooperate with vaccination workers and make their children available when teams visit their homes.
Parents who are unable to receive vaccination teams during household visits are encouraged to seek information about available vaccination facilities and arrangements in their respective areas.
Parents urged not to miss vaccination opportunities
The NEOC has appealed to parents to ensure that their children receive polio drops during every scheduled campaign and complete their routine immunisation schedules on time.
Officials have stressed that receiving multiple doses is important because repeated vaccination strengthens children’s protection against the disease.
Even children who appear healthy and have previously received vaccinations should participate in every campaign for which they are eligible.
Health workers are also expected to play an important role in informing families about the benefits of vaccination and addressing concerns that may prevent parents from participating.
Community cooperation is particularly important in areas where vaccination teams face difficulties reaching every household.
Authorities have urged local communities, religious leaders, teachers and healthcare professionals to support immunisation activities and encourage parents to protect their children.
Collective efforts needed to eliminate polio
Pakistan’s continued reporting of polio infections highlights the importance of maintaining consistent vaccination coverage throughout the country.
Successful eradication requires more than occasional vaccination campaigns. It also depends on routine immunisation, disease surveillance, timely identification of infections and cooperation between healthcare authorities and local communities.
Health officials have emphasised that children who miss vaccination opportunities remain vulnerable, potentially allowing the virus to continue circulating.
The upcoming campaign across 97 districts is expected to provide another opportunity to reach millions of children and strengthen nationwide protection against the disease.
Parents have been urged to treat vaccination as an essential responsibility rather than a one-time requirement.
With eight confirmed infections already reported in 2026, authorities are calling for stronger public participation to prevent further cases and protect future generations from lifelong disability.
The government has reiterated that public cooperation will remain essential to achieving the national goal of making Pakistan polio-free.
