Health Ministry in Pakistan has unveiled a new polio eradication strategy, expanding vaccination to children up to 15 years, starting November in Karachi, Lahore, and Quetta.
Officials said the change follows expert recommendations after persistent virus traces were detected in Karachi and Lahore, highlighting the urgent need for a broader approach.
The campaign aims to vaccinate four million children in Karachi and 1.5 million in Lahore, making it the largest effort in recent years.
An injection-based initiative will also launch in Quetta, designed to improve immunity among children in high-risk regions with recurring virus presence.
The announcement comes as international funding for the polio campaign in Pakistan has dropped by 20 percent, forcing the government to revise eradication strategies.
Annual spending on anti-polio campaigns is around $250 million, with major support from USAID, UNICEF, WHO, the Gates Foundation, and other partners.
Read More: Two New Polio Cases Detected in Southern KP
It is worth noting that the Health Ministry has also confirmed that from next year, campaigns will run for three days instead of five, with reduced staff at district levels.
Earlier this week, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has confirmed a new polio case in Hyderabad, raising total to 27 cases reported in 2025.
Sindh has now recorded seven cases this year, underlining persistent challenges in eliminating the virus despite multiple vaccination campaigns across the province.
Health officials reminded parents that polio is incurable and can cause permanent disability, urging them to ensure children receive drops during every campaign.
The next nationwide drive will run from October 13 to 19, with 400,000 workers administering oral polio vaccines to children under five.