KP to Focus on High-Risk Districts in Upcoming Polio Vaccination Campaign
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Emergency Operation Centre has identified several high-risk districts for additional attention during the upcoming nationwide polio vaccination campaign.
Health authorities are particularly focusing on areas surrounding Peshawar, where environmental samples have repeatedly detected poliovirus in recent months. Officials say movement of people between the provincial capital and neighboring districts increases the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage.
Peshawar Remains Under Close Monitoring
The World Health Organization collects environmental samples from multiple locations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on a regular basis to monitor the presence of poliovirus.
According to available data, samples collected from Peshawar between March and July 2026 repeatedly tested positive for poliovirus.
Six environmental sampling sites are located in Peshawar. Two sites each recorded positive results in March, April and June, while one site tested positive in May and another in July.
Health experts say positive environmental samples can indicate that poliovirus is circulating within a community, even when no human case has been reported. They therefore consider such findings an important signal for strengthening vaccination efforts.
Bannu Also Under Special Focus
Bannu has also remained an area of concern, with environmental samples indicating poliovirus circulation from October 2025 through March 2026.
Pakistan has reported three polio cases so far in 2026, including two from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and one from Sindh. Bannu and North Waziristan have each reported one case in KP.
In 2025, Pakistan recorded 31 polio cases, including 20 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, nine in Sindh, and one each in Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab.
Security Remains a Challenge
A total of 22 districts have been identified as priority areas for the vaccination drive scheduled for September 22.
Some of these districts face security challenges that can affect the movement of vaccination teams and their ability to reach every household.
A recent meeting chaired by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah focused on strengthening security arrangements for vaccinators and improving vaccination coverage in areas where access has previously been difficult.
Official data indicates that polio vaccination teams and health workers have faced security incidents in the province over the years, including deaths, injuries and kidnappings.
Vaccination Coverage Above 97 Percent
Health authorities and partner organizations report that vaccination teams generally reach more than 97 percent of children during campaigns. However, a small proportion of children remain unvaccinated because of parental refusal or difficulties in accessing certain areas.
Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only countries where wild poliovirus continues to be endemic.
The World Health Organization and UNICEF have supported Pakistan’s efforts to improve vaccine availability and address vaccine hesitancy. Experts say achieving consistently high coverage in every community remains essential to interrupting transmission.
Priority Districts
The districts receiving special attention during the upcoming campaign include:
Bajaur, Bannu, Charsadda, Dera Ismail Khan, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Hangu, Karak, Khyber, Kohat, Kurram, Lakki Marwat, Mansehra, Mardan, Mohmand, North Waziristan, Orakzai, Peshawar, Lower South Waziristan, Upper South Waziristan, Tank and Torghar.
