ISLAMABAD: With a countrywide week-long drive against the crippling disease set to begin today (Monday), Prime Minister`s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq launched the third National Immunisation Days (NIDs) campaign of the year on Sunday.At a ceremony organised at the National Emergency Operations Centre, the focal person administered oral vaccine and Vitamin A drops to children under five. Members of the Polio Programme`s Core Group and representatives of partner organisations accompanied Ms Farooq at the ceremony which saw the inauguration of the NIDs campaign by the Pakistan Polio Programme.

The drive aims to vaccinate over 45 million children under five, making it a critical intervention in the country`s final push to interrupt poliovirus transmission and achieve eradication by the end of 2025.

`Polio eradication is not just a health goal it is a national imperative and a matter of immense pride for our country,` she emphasised. `This third campaign of 2025 marks a decisive milestone in our roadmap. These back-to-back rounds from September 2024 to May 2025 represent our most strategic opportunity to close immunity gaps and halt virus circulation before the high transmission season begins.

The focal person acknowledged the persistent challenges in key reservoirs such as Karachi, south Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Quetta block, but noted encouraging progress in reaching previously underserved populations.

She appreciated the 400,000 frontline workers powering the campaign including 225,000 women vaccinators and recognised the critical role of civil and military law enforcement agencies in ensuring safe access to children.Wild poliovirus continues to pose a threat. Pakistan confirmed 10 cases so far this year.

Environmental surveillance has detected the virus in 272 sewage samples from 127 testing sites, across 68 districts, signalling continued circulation.

In his address, Unicef representative to Pakistan Abdullah Fadil expressed confidence in the direction of the programme. He commended the national leadership for their dedication to polio eradication.

`Pakistan is closer than ever to making history. With continued political will, community engagement, and coordinated action by all partners, I believe this country can soon achieve a polio-free future, he stated.

Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre Balochistan, Inamul Haq said that over 2.66m children would be immunised in the province.

Talking to journalists in Quetta, he described the drive as a vital step in the ongoing fight against poliovirus, which remains a threatin the region due to recent detection of cases and environmental samples testing positive for the virus.

He urged the parents to ensure that their children were vaccinated, warning that failure to do so could result in lifelong disability.

As part of the campaign, children will also receive Vitamin A supplements, which help strengthen immunity and reduce the risk of illness.

Sharing details of the drive to be carried out in Balochistan, he said: `A total of 11,659 teams will be deployed during the campaign, including 9,129 mobile teams, 958 fixed-site teams, and 586 teams at transit points such as bus stands and railway stations.

The campaign`s success depends heavily on community support, he added.

`Protecting children`s health is a shared responsibility,` he said.

`Every missed child puts all children at risk.

Saleem Shahid in Quetta also contributed to this report