Polio is a devastating, infectious disease with no cure. For over a thousand years, it has paralyzed — and claimed the lives of — children across the world.
But global humanitarian efforts make a difference and with regular immunization campaigns, polio has been eradicated in all but two countries.
Pakistan and Afghanistan are the final two countries where wild poliovirus is still endemic and poses a threat to children — especially those living in hard-to-reach places. In parts of Pakistan, families living in remote villages are particularly isolated from basic medical care due to challenging mountains, harsh terrain and heavy snowfall.
Vaccines save lives. And no matter where they are, all children have a right to health.
In Pakistan, UNICEF teams and partners are conducting a nationwide immunization campaign to reach unvaccinated children under 5 to eradicate polio and protect all children from disease. |
In collaboration with global organizations and the government, and with commitment from supporters like you, we are well on our way to ensuring Pakistan achieves polio-free status. In Afghanistan, we’re improving access to water and sanitation services to reduce the spread of diseases.
But we cannot be complacent. Low vaccination rates are creating opportunities for infectious disease outbreaks like polio, including in countries where they have been eradicated for decades.
UNICEF is staying the course to ensure that all children have access to vaccines and are protected from infectious diseases. Learn more about UNICEF’s impact in Pakistan to reach every child with vaccines and eradicate polio >>
Thank you for caring for children,
UNICEF USA |
