Punjab EOC directs districts to close gaps ahead of SNID polio campaign

The Punjab Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has called for strengthened preparations and immediate action to address operational gaps

LAHORE (September 17, 2026): The Punjab Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has called for strengthened preparations and immediate action to address operational gaps ahead of the upcoming Special National Immunization Days (SNID) campaign, scheduled to begin across the province on September 21.

Chairing a readiness meeting with representatives of districts participating in the SNID campaign, Punjab EOC Coordinator Khalid Parvaiz directed district administrations and health teams to resolve shortcomings identified during pre-campaign preparations. Particular emphasis was placed on improving the quality and completeness of training provided to vaccination teams.

During the meeting, officials reviewed the overall preparedness of participating districts and examined issues related to training, campaign planning and reporting. District teams were instructed to complete any outstanding training requirements and ensure that all relevant information is accurately entered into the campaign dashboard.

Khalid Parvaiz stressed that comprehensive microplanning would be essential for reaching every eligible child during the campaign. He specifically directed Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of districts located along inter-provincial boundaries to review and update their microplans.

The officials were also briefed on coordination meetings held with neighbouring districts and provinces. The EOC coordinator said that such coordination was important because population movement across provincial boundaries could create challenges for vaccination efforts.

He called for additional measures to identify children who might otherwise remain unvaccinated during the campaign. According to the EOC, special attention should be given to areas and population groups that are difficult to reach through routine vaccination activities.

Addressing the meeting, Khalid Parvaiz noted that environmental samples in Punjab were currently negative for poliovirus, describing the situation as encouraging. However, he cautioned that continued vigilance would be necessary to maintain the province’s progress.

He pointed out that poliovirus detections and cases reported in areas outside Punjab, including neighbouring provinces, continued to pose a potential risk of reintroduction into the province. He said that any weakness in vaccination or surveillance could provide an opportunity for the virus to spread through population movement.

“Punjab has achieved a very encouraging situation, with environmental samples currently negative for poliovirus. However, sustaining this progress requires us to remain vigilant and close every operational gap,” Parvaiz said.

He further highlighted the importance of vaccination at transit points, particularly for children travelling with mobile, migrant and other frequently moving populations. Vaccination teams were urged to ensure that eligible children passing through major transit routes are not missed.

The EOC coordinator also called for synchronized vaccination activities between Punjab and neighbouring areas. He said coordinated campaigns could help reduce the risk of transmission along routes used by people travelling between provinces.

“Transit points will be particularly important during this campaign. Every child travelling with mobile and migrant populations must have access to vaccination,” he said.

The meeting concluded with instructions to district teams to focus on complete training, updated microplans, accurate dashboard reporting, effective transit vaccination and coordination with neighbouring districts.

The Special National Immunization Days campaign will commence on September 21, when vaccination teams will visit communities and other designated locations to administer oral polio vaccine to eligible children. Officials said effective implementation and public cooperation would remain important to ensure maximum vaccination coverage and sustain Punjab’s polio-free status.