Punjab plans doctors’ task force to fight polio vaccine misinformation

LAHORE: Punjab is preparing to bring senior doctors and medical experts to the frontline of its fight against polio misinformation, with the provincial Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) deciding to establish a doctors’ task force to address parents’ concerns and build greater confidence in vaccination.

The initiative was announced during a workshop at Services Hospital attended by representatives of the Pakistan Paediatric Association (PPA) and senior medical professionals. The session focused on strengthening the involvement of doctors in polio eradication, particularly in tackling rumours, misconceptions and concerns surrounding the vaccine.

Punjab Chief Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Uzma Kardar said the doctors’ task force would be established across the province and supported by experienced medical professionals.

She said doctors were among the most trusted sources of health information for parents and could play a decisive role in correcting misleading claims about vaccination.

“Doctors and medical professionals are among the most trusted sources of information for parents,” Kardar said, adding that their involvement could help the programme respond effectively to misconceptions and rumours.

Under the proposed initiative, medical professionals will be equipped with evidence-based information and simple, consistent responses to common questions about polio vaccination. They will engage directly with parents and caregivers as well as use digital platforms to counter misinformation.

Kardar stressed that polio eradication required cooperation from trusted voices across society, including doctors, paediatricians and other healthcare professionals.

Punjab faces no room for complacency

Punjab EOC Coordinator Khalid Parvaiz said the province had made considerable progress in its fight against polio, but the detection of sporadic positive environmental samples showed that the threat had not disappeared.

He said sustained vaccination campaigns and strong programme implementation were essential to completely interrupt poliovirus transmission.

“Senior doctors and medical experts have an important role to play in helping us achieve polio eradication, particularly by strengthening vaccine confidence and addressing misinformation,” Parvaiz said.

According to the coordinator, Punjab’s goal is now to move beyond controlling transmission and achieve sustained interruption of the virus.

He said every vaccination campaign must also be used to identify children who were missed in previous rounds and ensure they are vaccinated.

Next campaign begins September 21

The next polio vaccination campaign in Punjab will begin on September 21 across 13 districts.

The campaign will run for seven days in Lahore and four days in the remaining districts.

Officials said special attention would be given to children missed during earlier campaigns. Instead of merely recording their numbers, health teams will profile, map and follow up with these children to ensure they are eventually reached.

Mobile and migrant communities, riverine areas, difficult-to-access locations and provincial and district boundaries have been identified as particular challenges.

Population movement can make it difficult for vaccination teams to identify and repeatedly reach children, prompting authorities to strengthen transit vaccination, community engagement and coordination between districts.

Lahore will remain a major focus because of its large population, high mobility and the complexity of its vaccination programme.

Doctors to tackle questions head-on

Parvaiz said doctors could help parents understand the safety and effectiveness of polio vaccines, explain possible side effects and identify emerging rumours before they spread further.

He said medical professionals would need to work alongside community and religious leaders, influencers and frontline workers to build stronger public trust.

At the workshop, doctors and PPA representatives discussed common parental concerns, strategies to counter misinformation and ways medical professionals could contribute more effectively to eradication efforts.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to closer cooperation between the medical community and Punjab’s polio programme.

The province is now betting on a simple but powerful strategy: when misinformation threatens vaccination, trusted doctors should be among the first voices parents hear.