Pakistan launches anti-polio drive as COVID-19 cases rise
ABC News
Pakistani authorities have launched the year's first anti-polio campaign even as coronavirus cases suddenly rise
ISLAMABAD -- Pakistani authorities on Monday launched this year's first nationwide anti-polio campaign even as coronavirus infections surge.
About 150,000 health workers are taking part in the five-day, anti-polio drive to inoculate 22.4 million children under age 5, according to a statement issued by Shahzad Beg, the coordinator for polio program. The previous campaign took place weeks ago when Pakistan witnessed decline in COVID-19 cases.
Authorities hope the latest campaign will help making Pakistan a polio-free nation.
Last year, Pakistan reported only one polio case from the country's southwestern Baluchistan province. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only countries in the world where polio remains endemic and the disease can cause partial paralysis in children.
