Punjab EOC reviews polio drive in 11 districts

Punjab EOC reviews polio drive in 11 districts

LAHORE:  Punjab Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Coordinator Khalid Parvaiz chaired a review meeting on Thursday with health and polio eradication teams from 11 districts to assess the ongoing vaccination campaign, identify implementation gaps and improve efforts to reach every eligible child.

The meeting examined campaign performance at both district and Union Council levels, with officials reviewing vaccination coverage, the number of missed children, field implementation and other key operational indicators. Participants also discussed weaknesses in campaign data and measures needed to improve its accuracy, transparency and reliability.

Khalid Parvaiz directed district teams to look beyond overall vaccination figures and assess performance at the Union Council and lower administrative levels. He said authorities must identify areas where children may have been missed and take immediate corrective action to ensure that all eligible children receive the polio vaccine.

The EOC coordinator stressed that accurate campaign data plays a critical role in identifying vulnerable areas and allocating resources effectively. He called for timely reporting from the field so that district teams can detect gaps during or immediately after campaign activities and respond without delay.

He also directed officials to improve vaccine utilisation and reduce wastage through better planning, forecasting and field-level management. District teams were asked to closely monitor vaccine stocks and ensure that vaccination teams use available supplies efficiently according to local requirements.

“Our focus must remain on campaign quality and reaching every child. Accurate data allows us to identify gaps, while timely corrective action at the Union Council level helps ensure that no child is missed,” Khalid Parvaiz said.

He instructed district health authorities to strengthen supervision of field teams and improve accountability at every level. He also called for continued attention to high-risk and vulnerable areas where gaps in vaccination coverage could increase the risk of poliovirus transmission.

During the meeting, district teams provided updates on missed children and field activities and highlighted areas requiring additional attention. The EOC reviewed the reported gaps and directed the concerned teams to follow up on them and implement corrective measures at the grassroots level.

Khalid Parvaiz said Punjab has made considerable progress in its efforts to prevent polio, but warned that the province cannot afford to become complacent. He emphasised that sustained vigilance, high-quality vaccination campaigns and consistent coverage remain essential to protect children and prevent the transmission or reintroduction of poliovirus.

The EOC directed all participating districts to closely monitor the implementation of corrective measures and maintain focused efforts during future campaigns to ensure that no child remains unvaccinated.