Polio drives launched in Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad

Anti-polio vaccination drives have been launched in several parts of Pakistan, with provincial and district-level campaigns reported in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and the federal capital.

In Punjab, Dawn reported that a special polio campaign for children under five began across 13 districts on Monday. The drive was formally opened at the Nawaz Sharif Centre for Excellence in Lahore, with international partners and representatives of the Girl Guides, including teachers and young leaders, in attendance. Uzma Kardar, the Chief Minister’s focal person for polio, said the primary objective was to reach every eligible child with the vaccine, and she urged parents to ensure all children were vaccinated. Radio Pakistan quoted an official named Khalid Parvaiz as saying the Punjab campaign targets more than 10 million children. It was not immediately clear whether the 13 districts cover the entire province or only high-risk districts.

In Islamabad, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported that health workers vaccinated 151,598 children on the first day of the capital’s anti-polio drive, which aims to reach 447,614 children. Officials at a review meeting said this was 34 percent of the target. The report did not specify how long the Islamabad campaign will run.

Sindh Chief Minister launched a week-long polio campaign in the province, The Nation reported, and called for a collective effort to eradicate the virus. The report did not give a first-day vaccination figure or a total target.

In Gwadar, a separate campaign is targeting 35,664 children, according to The Daily CPEC, which did not provide further details. Health officials have asked parents and caregivers to cooperate with vaccination teams as the drives continue.