LAHORE: In an effort to combat the circulation of the polio virus, Punjab has announced a targeted campaign in five districts starting today (Monday). The districts that will be targeted include Lahore, Faisalabad, Mianwali, Multan and Sheikhupura. The full districts of Lahore and Faisalabad will be covered in the campaign, while selected union councils in Mianwali, Multan and Sheikhupura will be included. The campaign will last seven days in Lahore and Faisalabad, and five days in the other districts.
Over 34,000 polio workers will participate in the campaign, aiming to immunize more than 4.6 million children under the age of five against polio. The team will consist of 2732 area in-charges, 765 union council and district supervisors, 28498 mobile polio team members, 974 fixed team members and 1054 transit team members.
The Punjab Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has taken measures to ensure the success of the polio campaign, deploying stakeholders to facilitate its implementation in priority areas. The head of the polio program in Punjab and EOC Coordinator, Mr. Khizer Afzaal, emphasized the importance of the campaign, stating that while the province has been polio-free for two years, it remains at risk of virus importation from endemic zones due to high-risk mobile population movement.
In his statement, Mr. Afzaal urged parents to ensure that their children receive two drops of the polio vaccine under every immunization drive. He also acknowledged the hard work of the health workers on the frontlines, who continue to reach children in difficult-to-reach areas with the goal of vaccinating every child and achieving a polio-free world for future generations.
The targeted campaign is a crucial step in Pakistan’s goal of interrupting transmission of the poliovirus by 2023. Receiving multiple doses of the polio drops offers the best protection against the virus, and population immunity can only be achieved if every child is vaccinated. The polio program is working towards this goal, with a steadfast dedication to eradicate polio from infected zones.
