Eradicating Polio in Pakistan

This project aims to contribute to the interruption of wild polio and vaccine-derived polio throughout Pakistan and address gender barriers to immunization to ensure all girls and boys receive the polio vaccine. Pakistan is one of the last two remaining polio endemic countries in the world (Afghanistan is the other) where the wild poliomyelitis (polio) virus continues to threaten the health and well-being of girls and boys. This project expands immunization in rural remote and high-risk areas in Pakistan and enhances transmission detection. The project also aims to improve health and nutrition services and outcomes for women and children. Project activities include: (1) strengthening the capacity of the polio program to immunize all girls and boys in rural and remote areas in Pakistan; (2) deploying special vaccination strategies for mobile and refugee populations in difficult to access locations; (3) engaging with communities on integrated health services (including maternal and child health nutrition water sanitation hygiene and essential immunization); and (4) maintaining polio surveillance and detection systems by testing sanitation points and strengthening community-based surveillance networks. The project is implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) expanded immunization throughout Pakistan particularly in rural remote and high-risk areas; (2) improved access and utilization of integrated health services in underserved polio priority communities and communities with demonstrated resistance to polio vaccination; and (3) enhanced detection and surveillance of polio transmission and enhanced response in high-risk communities in Pakistan.