The week-long polio vaccination campaign, which concluded on Sunday, achieved a 97% vaccination rate in the first six days. Data from the final day will be compiled on Monday.
Launched by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on September 9, the campaign targeted 30 million children under five across 115 districts. Approximately 286,000 polio workers went door-to-door to administer the polio drops.
Dr. Malik Mukhtar Bharath, Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Health, reported that by September 14, 97% of the children had been vaccinated in the targeted districts. Catch-up activities have also begun to ensure no child remains unvaccinated.
Dr. Bharath praised the polio teams for their dedication in delivering vaccines despite numerous challenges. He instructed the national polio program team to review the campaign results and develop detailed plans to address any gaps before the next campaign in October.
Muhammad Anwarul Haq, coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, noted that while there were challenges in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the campaign in Balochistan proceeded smoothly.
