Punjab Launches Final Polio Immunization Drive of 2024
23.3 million children under five to be vaccinated in seven-day campaign across Punjab, targeting polio eradication
Lahore: Punjab is all set to roll out its year’s final Sub-National Immunization Drive against polio will from tomorrow (December 16, Monday), confirmed the head of the polio eradication programme on Sunday in a statement.
In mega districts including Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad, it will be a seven-day campaign including two days allocated for catch up to reach the missed children. While in rest of the districts, the campaign will last five days.
A total of 23.3 million under five children will be reached for vaccination during campaign in the province, which represents half of the target population in Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts. Despite significant progress, the threat of polio virus importation from regions still affected by the disease remains a major concern.
Over 200,000 polio workers will participate in this campaign, including supervisors, mobile teams, and fixed teams, among others. To facilitate effective execution, the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre has deployed experts to assist in preparedness and ensure the smooth implementation of the campaign.
Punjab has faced challenges, including one confirmed polio case and 75 environmental samples testing positive, with a 22% positivity rate. Genetic analysis of the virus has shown both local and imported strains circulating. Mr. Tassawar, the program head, emphasized the need for vigilance and swift action, stressing that the virus remains a significant risk in areas where it is endemic.
The program’s leadership has committed to intensifying efforts, focusing especially on missed children by analyzing past rounds to ensure no child is left behind. A thorough door-to-door vaccination campaign and strategically placed immunization posts are designed to reach every child under five years of age.
The success of the campaign requires a collective effort. While health workers administer vaccines, the program also calls on parents, guardians, media, and civil society to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination to ensure a polio-free future for Pakistan.
To achieve population immunity and halt the virus’s spread, it is necessary to vaccinate at least 10% of children in every round of the campaign, said Mr. Adeel, the EOC coordinator.
