Nationwide Anti-Polio Vaccination Campaign Launches in Pakistan

Islamabad, Pakistan has launched a comprehensive anti-polio vaccination campaign aimed at immunizing children under five years of age against polio. The campaign features various durations and strategies tailored to regional needs, with health department mobile teams visiting homes across the country to ensure no child is left unvaccinated.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the campaign’s scope is extensive, with efforts concentrated in specific districts known for their vulnerability to polio. In Punjab, the drive includes Lahore, Okara, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, and Mianwali, targeting 6.4 million children, and will run until June 9. Sindh has initiated a seven-day special campaign across 20 districts, including Karachi, aiming to vaccinate around 4.5 million children.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the vaccination effort covers 23 districts over five days, planning to administer drops to more than 3.5 million children. Balochistan’s seven-day campaign targets 14 districts, where over 1.8 million children will receive vaccinations.

The campaign in some districts, such as Naseerabad, Sibi, Jaffarabad, Usta Muhammad, Dera Bugti, and Sohbatpur, will commence on June 8, delayed due to an expected heat-wave, highlighting the logistical challenges faced in ensuring the vaccine reaches every child. This nationwide initiative is part of Pakistan’s ongoing effort to eradicate polio, a disease that continues to affect children and communities across the region.