Moreover, environmental samples from 64 districts across all four provinces have tested positive for wild poliovirus (WPV1), signaling that the virus is still present in various regions
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is gearing up for a nationwide anti-polio campaign, set to commence on September 9, aimed at safeguarding children under five years old from the disease. This comprehensive immunization drive will involve administering polio drops to millions of children across the country. In preparation for this major initiative, various district administrations have already embarked on local vaccination efforts.
These preliminary drives pave the way for the larger, coordinated campaign organized by the health department, which is scheduled to start tomorrow. Punjab is set to target 13.9 million children through a week-long campaign. Key districts including Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad will be focal points of this extensive vaccination effort. Other districts such as Attock, Chakwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar will conduct a five-day vaccination campaign.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, over 35,000 polio teams have been mobilized to carry out door-to-door vaccinations, ensuring that every child under five receives the essential polio drops. This large-scale operation reflects the province’s commitment to eradicating the disease. Sindh will conduct a week-long drive targeting 9.4 million children across 30 districts, with special attention to areas like Hyderabad. Balochistan has assembled more than 11,000 teams to implement a similar week-long vaccination effort.
The Provincial Coordinator of the Emergency Operation Center has urged parents, media, and community members to actively support the campaign. Their involvement is crucial in achieving the campaign’s objectives and ensuring the health and safety of the younger generation. In a concerning development, Islamabad has reported its first case of poliovirus in 16 years. This case, involving an eight-year-old boy from Union Council Rural 4 near Sangjani Toll Plaza, marks the city’s first polio case since 2008. This brings the total number of reported polio cases in Pakistan for this year to 17.
The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio at the National Institute of Health has confirmed this new case, highlighting the ongoing risk posed by the virus. Moreover, environmental samples from 64 districts across all four provinces have tested positive for wild poliovirus (WPV1), signaling that the virus is still present in various regions. A senior laboratory official noted that since June, WPV1 has been detected in environmental samples from both Islamabad and Rawalpindi, underscoring the persistent threat to public health.
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