ISLAMABAD: In a final push to curb the spread of poliovirus, Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) authorities on Monday launched a nationwide polio eradication campaign aimed at vaccinating 44 million children, which will continue until December 22, targeting under five-year-old children.
This drive comes at a critical time as 63 cases of polio were reported this year, with some resulting in death and many leaving the children severely paralysed for the rest of their lives. Among these, 26 cases were reported from Balochistan, 18 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 17 from Sindh and one each from Punjab and Islamabad Capital Territory, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need for vaccination.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who launched the campaign in Islamabad by administering the first doses to children here the other day, reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating the poliovirus from Pakistan. “We will work together with the provincial governments and international partners to ensure eradication and its debilitating effects,” he said.
The campaign aims to administer the oral polio vaccine (OPV) to children under five in 143 districts across Pakistan. This massive effort will see over 400,000 polio workers going door-to-door to vaccinate children. Additionally, 15,000 security personnel will be deployed to ensure the safety of the workers and the execution of the campaign.
Ayesha Raza Farooq, Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, requested parents to cooperate with vaccination teams, emphasising that vaccination is key to preventing outbreaks and protecting the next generation from the crippling disease.
The government has also launched special measures to ensure that no child misses out on the vaccine. In North Waziristan, 609 teams will administer vaccines to over 140,000 children, with the support of 2,023 police officials for security.
As part of this campaign, children in Sindh will be covered by 80,000 frontline workers, with 15,000 security personnel providing additional safety. The provincial health department has urged parents to vaccinate their children, reinforcing that repeated vaccination strengthens immunity against polio.
Despite these massive efforts, the campaign is not without challenges. Over 60% of the children affected by polio in 2024 had not received routine immunisation, highlighting the need for better integration between polio eradication efforts and Pakistan’s broader Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI).
Health authorities have established a high-level committee to improve coordination between the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) and EPI, to boost immunization coverage and reduce risks.
In the aftermath of the recent resurgence in polio cases, particularly in Balochistan, which has reported 26 cases this year, health authorities have called for continued vigilance and cooperation among all stakeholders. Balochistan has been identified as one of the most affected regions, and health experts stress the need for increased awareness and better outreach efforts.
The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, through Secretary Nadeem Mahbub, has been monitoring the vaccination in Peshawar. During a recent visit, Mahbub, along with Special Secretary for Health KP and Provincial EOC Coordinator Abdul Basit, evaluated the performance of field teams and discussed strategies to address challenges.
“We are committed to overcoming the challenges of accessibility, misinformation, and security issues to ensure that no child is left behind,” Mahbub said.
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