Pakistan vaccinates over 44 mln children in final nationwide polio campaign of 2025

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has successfully vaccinated more than 44.6 million children in its final nationwide polio campaign of 2025, the National Emergency Operations Center (EOC) said on Monday.

The campaign, conducted from Dec. 15 to 21, vaccinated nearly 22.9 million children in eastern Punjab province, around 10.6 million in southern Sindh, more than 7.15 million in northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and over 2.58 million in southwest Balochistan province.

Federal capital Islamabad recorded over 450,000 vaccinations, while the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir reached approximately 274,000 and 714,000 children, respectively.

The EOC thanked parents, local administrations, law enforcement agencies, and polio workers for their support, calling polio workers and security personnel the "true heroes" of the nation for their dedicated services during the campaign.

The drive was implemented through school-based vaccination, community outreach, and door-to-door campaigns, ensuring coverage even in remote and high-risk areas. Pakistan continues its efforts to eradicate polio and protect children nationwide. ■