The Punjab Polio Campaign is continuing across several districts as health workers work to
protect children under five from the dangerous polio virus. The vaccination campaign began on
September 21 and is targeting more than ten million children across thirteen districts of Punjab.
Lahore is receiving special attention because its vaccination activities will continue for seven
days until September 27. Millions of children have already received polio drops during the
campaign according to updates from health authorities. The campaign includes Lahore, Multan,
Rawalpindi and several other districts where vaccination teams are visiting homes and public
locations. Officials are also focusing on children who may have missed vaccination during
earlier visits. More than seventy-seven thousand polio workers are participating in the campaign
and helping families understand the importance of vaccination. Health teams are also working at
transit points to reach children travelling between different areas.

During the first three days, more than 6.1 million children across Punjab received polio drops
according to reported campaign figures. Lahore recorded around 905,000 vaccinated children
during the same period while Multan reported more than 700,000 vaccinated children.
Rawalpindi also recorded more than 400,000 children receiving protection through the ongoing
vaccination campaign. Health officials are continuing their efforts because every missed child
can create a gap in protection against polio. Vaccination teams are visiting homes and checking
areas where children may not have been available during their first visit. Special attention is also
being given to mobile families because frequent travel can make regular vaccination more
difficult. The campaign teams are encouraging parents to cooperate with health workers and
allow them to vaccinate eligible children. Officials have explained that repeated vaccination
helps provide stronger protection and supports wider efforts to stop poliovirus transmission.

The Punjab Emergency Operations Centre has emphasized that protecting children requires
cooperation between families and vaccination workers throughout the campaign period. Officials
are reviewing vaccination data from different districts to identify areas where additional efforts
may be needed. Lahore will continue receiving vaccination teams until Sunday as workers
attempt to reach every eligible child in the city. Health authorities have also reported that current
environmental samples from Punjab are negative for poliovirus. However, officials continue
monitoring the situation because movement between provinces can create opportunities for the
virus to enter again. The authorities are therefore giving special attention to transit points and
communities with frequent population movement. Parents have been asked to make sure their
children receive polio drops even if they received previous doses. The vaccination programme
remains an important part of protecting young children and preventing future polio infections
across Punjab.

The current campaign is also connected with a wider national effort taking place across Pakistan
during September. More than 31 million children under five are being targeted in 115 high-risk
districts during this nationwide vaccination drive. The national programme has encouraged
parents to cooperate with vaccination teams and ensure their children receive the
recommended drops. Health workers are continuing house-to-house visits because reaching
every child remains essential for reducing transmission. Officials are also using fixed vaccination
centres and transit teams to improve coverage among travelling families. The campaign aims to
strengthen protection among children while supporting Pakistan’s long-term goal of ending polio.
Authorities have stressed that vaccination remains important even when children appear healthy
because polio infections can spread without obvious symptoms. Families are therefore being
encouraged to welcome vaccination teams and ask questions whenever they need more
information. Continued public cooperation can help health workers reach missed children and
maintain stronger community protection.

What is the important development?

The major development is the continued progress of the Punjab Polio Campaign with millions
of children already receiving vaccination across targeted districts. Lahore remains a major focus
because its campaign will continue until September 27 while other districts complete planned
vaccination activities. Health authorities are reviewing campaign results and identifying children
who may have been missed during initial visits. The authorities are also monitoring possible
risks linked with population movement between Punjab and other provinces. Parents are being
encouraged to cooperate with vaccination teams and ensure that every child under five receives
polio drops. The campaign is part of Pakistan’s wider effort to protect children and prevent the
spread of poliovirus. Officials hope that strong vaccination coverage and continued public
cooperation will help Punjab maintain protection against the virus. The campaign also highlights
the importance of regular vaccination because protecting children requires continued efforts
from families and healthcare workers.

Source: Pakistan Polio Programme, reported media sources.

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