Pakistan has launched a new nationwide polio-vaccination campaign as part of the government's pledge to eradicate the disease in the country by the end of 2019.
Health Ministry spokesman Rana Safdar said on January 21 that the latest drive would target more than 39 million children under the age of 5 and involves more than 260,000 health workers.
Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria are the only three countries in the world where polio is still endemic.
In 2018, only a handful of new polio cases were reported in Pakistan, compared to more than 300 in 2014.
In the past, militants in Pakistan have targeted health workers because of a mistaken belief that the vaccine was aimed at making Muslim children sterile.
Pakistan Launches New Polio-Vaccination Drive
Editors' Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Serbia Deepens Military Ties With China Through Drones, Air Defense Systems
2Several Protesters Reported Dead In Iran As Anger Builds Over Dismal Economy
3Why Are So Many Leaders Warning Of War With Russia?
4Scores Of Bodies Outside Morgue In Tehran Amid Deadly Iran Protests
5Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine Now Longer Than Soviet War Against Hitler
6EU Calls For Sanctions On Russian State TV Host, Famed Ballet Dancer
7Tanks On The Tree: Russian Military Ornaments Are Out In Force This Year
8Belarus Jailing Citizens For Supporting Ukraine's Fight Against Russia
9Costs Mount As Afghanistan-Pakistan Trade War Strands Thousands Of Trucks
10Why Israel Now Eyes Iran's Missiles Over Nukes Ahead Of Netanyahu-Trump Talks
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.