Pakistan recorded a significant decline in polio cases during 2025 despite around 800,000 children missing the final nationwide vaccination campaign of the year, according to officials from the polio eradication programme.
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Polio, a highly infectious viral disease that can cause irreversible paralysis, remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Health authorities stress that repeated doses of the oral polio vaccine for every child under the age of five are essential to interrupt transmission and achieve eradication.
In a statement, the programme said that six vaccination campaigns were conducted in 2025, including five nationwide drives. As a result, the number of confirmed polio cases dropped from 74 in 2024 to 30 in 2025, with no new cases reported since September.
However, experts cautioned against over-optimism. A polio specialist noted that the virus can remain dormant for extended periods before resurging. While the decline is encouraging, final figures for 2025 will only be confirmed by late January, as laboratory testing of paralysis cases can take several weeks.
During the most recent national campaign, held from December 15 to 21, health workers aimed to vaccinate 45.4 million children but reached 44.6 million due to refusals and access challenges. Despite this shortfall, the campaign achieved more than 98 per cent coverage nationwide, with an 18 per cent reduction in missed children compared to the previous round.
Authorities highlighted notable operational improvements, particularly in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an area historically considered high-risk. Enhanced microplanning, better team deployment and stronger community engagement contributed to improved access and coverage.
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The polio programme said that while transmission persists in some localised areas, targeted interventions and sustained vigilance are helping maintain high immunity levels. Officials emphasised that engagement with communities, religious leaders and the media remains critical to counter misinformation and reach every child.
With virus circulation now limited and vaccination performance improving, the programme said intensified efforts in 2026 aim to decisively move Pakistan closer to becoming polio-free.