ISLAMABAD The poliovirus has been found in environmental samples taken from 16 districts, and the third nationwide polio vaccination campaign of the year is set to start on Monday (today).
The National Institute of Health’s Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication has verified that sewage samples from 16 districts contain wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1).
Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, three districts of Karachi, Chaman, Shaheed Benazirabad, Badin, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Sujawal, Dadu, Kambar, Jacobabad, and Dera Ghazi Khan were the locations from which the samples were once more gathered. There had been prior reports of viral identification in sewage samples or persons in each of these districts, and the situation remained unchanged.
With 41 confirmed cases of polio in 2024, the immunization campaign to combat the recurrence of wild poliovirus seeks to cover almost 45 million children under five.
On World Polio Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched the campaign in an event at PM House. For added immunity, children will also receive vitamin-A supplements during this program, which runs through November 3.
Ayesha Raza Farooq, the PM’s point person for polio eradication, reiterated the government’s resolve to fight the infection. In order to provide the vaccine and ensure a “healthier future for our children,” she stated that medical personnel “will reach every corner of Pakistan.”
The coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, Anwarul Haq, urged parents to completely collaborate with polio workers in his message. Although there is no known treatment for polio, it can be avoided with this easily accessible vaccine. We must work together as a country to protect our children by vaccinating them because the threat is at an all-time high,” he stated.
To report any children overlooked during the immunization drive, people can reach the Sehat Tahhafuz Helpline 1166 and the round-the-clock WhatsApp Helpline 0346-7776546.
The Balochistan’s campaign
According to Inamul Haq, coordinator of the Emergency Operation Center in Balochistan, the week-long campaign will be implemented in 36 districts.
During the campaign, he added, strict security will be maintained in Balochistan, where 21 of the 41 cases reported in 2024 have come from.
Health experts asked for more stringent measures to guarantee 100% vaccination coverage and issued a warning about the poliovirus’s prevalence throughout the province.
More than 2.6 million children will receive vitamin A supplements and polio vaccine drops during the campaign. There will be about 11,562 teams taking part in the campaign.
Mr. Haq asked parents to work with the polio workers, stating that all campaign preparations have been finished.
“Parents should contact the district administration if any child misses the vaccination during the campaign,” he suggested.
He urged religious leaders, educators, and members of public society to actively support this campaign.
