Punjab polio drive ends after vaccinating 2.2 million children

LAHORE: Punjab’s latest polio eradication campaign has concluded in Lahore, with more than 2.2 million children receiving polio vaccine drops over six days, according to the Punjab Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

Officials said data from the seventh day of the campaign was still being entered into the system, meaning the final vaccination figures could rise further.

The campaign was carried out across 10 districts of Punjab, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Attock, Mianwali, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalpur. Activities have concluded in nine districts, while data from Lahore is still being compiled.

Based on the information received so far, the campaign has achieved around 98 per cent coverage, with officials expecting the rate to improve once the remaining Lahore data is incorporated.

Punjab EOC Coordinator Khalid Parvaiz said the campaign was part of continued efforts to protect every child under five from poliovirus and prevent transmission of the disease.

He praised frontline vaccination teams for their work and thanked parents for cooperating with health workers during the campaign.

However, Parvaiz stressed that the conclusion of the campaign does not mean the fight against polio is over. He urged parents to ensure their children receive vaccine drops during every campaign, describing repeated vaccination as essential for maintaining protection and moving Pakistan towards a polio-free future.

According to the EOC, environmental surveillance remains an important part of monitoring the virus. While environmental samples collected across Punjab have remained negative during 2026, officials said the province remains vulnerable to the possible introduction of poliovirus from other areas.

The programme will therefore continue to focus on children who may have been missed during vaccination drives, particularly those living in mobile and migrant communities and other hard-to-reach locations.

The EOC is also preparing a detailed review of the latest campaign. Officials will examine coverage indicators, identify areas where children missed vaccination and compare the results with previous campaigns.

The review is expected to help authorities identify vaccination gaps and plan targeted follow-up activities.

Parvaiz called for continued cooperation among parents, health officials, vaccination workers and community leaders to ensure every eligible child is reached.

He reiterated the Punjab government’s commitment to sustaining vaccination and surveillance efforts until all children are protected and Pakistan achieves its goal of eliminating polio.