On World Polio Day, we are reminded that the fight against polio requires sustained attention until every child is protected. While Pakistan has made progress, the continued presence of the virus calls for consistent efforts to reach all children through vaccination campaigns and routine immunisation. No child should be left unprotected because of gaps in access to vaccination or missed opportunities to receive polio drops.
Every child who misses a vaccination remains at risk. For a family, polio can mean a lifelong disability that affects a child’s mobility, education and independence. Preventing such outcomes requires reliable vaccination services, regular immunisation and timely action when a child has missed a dose.
Pakistan has made considerable progress in reducing polio cases, but the virus continues to circulate. This calls for particular attention to areas where children remain difficult to reach and where vaccination coverage needs to improve.
Public trust is equally important. Parents must be able to ask questions and receive clear, reliable answers from health professionals. Community representatives, religious scholars and local leaders can help address concerns and encourage families to cooperate with vaccination teams. The aim must be to ensure that families understand the importance of vaccination and that practical barriers do not prevent children from receiving protection.
We must recognise the contribution of frontline health workers who carry out this work in communities across Pakistan. Their efforts must be matched by the support, resources and security they need to reach children safely. Vaccination campaigns should also provide an opportunity to connect families with routine immunisation and other essential health services.
On this World Polio Day, I urge the relevant authorities to maintain close oversight of vaccination efforts, follow up on children who miss a dose and ensure that progress made during each campaign is sustained. Protecting children from polio requires consistent action at every level, from national planning to the work carried out in individual communities.
