The sub-national anti-polio campaign Pakistan launched recently has entered its sixth consecutive day, focusing on 97 selected districts to curb the spread of the virus. According to the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), the drive is part of a coordinated effort to protect children under the age of five from permanent paralysis.
During the first five days of this vital health initiative, vaccination teams successfully reached 20.34 million children. The NEOC reported that the campaign is on track to meet its total target of 20.40 million children before the drive concludes on November 8.
Nationwide Mobilization and Cross-Border Coordination
A massive workforce of over 200,000 polio workers is currently on the ground, visiting door-to-door to ensure no child is missed. This specific anti polio campaign is being conducted simultaneously in both Pakistan and Afghanistan to address the regional nature of the virus transmission.
Health officials have emphasized that because the threat of the virus persists, the oral polio vaccine remains the only effective defense. The synchronized timing with Afghanistan is intended to create a barrier against the virus in high-risk corridors where populations frequently move across the border.
Guidance for Parents and Caregivers
The NEOC has issued a strong appeal to parents, urging them to cooperate fully with the visiting vaccination teams. Officials stressed that every child under the age of five must receive the drops during this drive to ensure community-wide immunity.
In addition to the door-to-door drops, health authorities highlighted the importance of routine immunization. They advised parents to follow the complete injection schedule at health centers to protect children against various other preventable diseases alongside polio.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan ke 97 districts mein polio se bachao ki campaign jari hai. Ab tak 2 crore se zyada bachon ko drops pilaye ja chukay hain. Walidain se guzarish hai ke wo teamon ke sath taawun karein taake bachon ko mazoori se bachaya ja sakay.
