The nationwide anti-polio campaign started today, aiming to vaccinate approximately 44 million children against polio after this year’s case count reached 63.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif initiated the campaign yesterday in Islamabad, underscoring a commitment to eliminate polio with cooperation from regional governments and global partners.
Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif launching the last Anti-Polio campaign of 2024 by administering Polio drops to children. pic.twitter.com/7jVS1Emn8R
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) December 15, 2024According to Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication, about 400,000 workers will visit homes across 143 districts to vaccinate children under five.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کا انسداد پولیو مہم کی تقریب سے خطاب
پاکستان سے پولیو کے مکمل خاتمے کے لئے پرعزم ہیں، والدین مہم میں ورکرز کے ساتھ تعاون یقینی بنائیں۔
~ وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف
وزیراعظم نے پانچ سال سے کم عمر بچوں کو پولیو کے قطرے پلا کر رواں سال کی آخری انسداد پولیو… pic.twitter.com/K2ONwhKiBB
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) December 15, 2024During the ceremony in Sindh today, the Health Department launched a seven-day vaccination drive to reach around 16 million children by December 22. They reported that 80,000 frontline workers, supported by 15,000 security personnel, participated in the effort. Sindh recorded 17 of Pakistan’s 63 polio cases this year.
Regions are mobilizing extensive resources to meet vaccination targets quickly. For instance, Bahawalpur plans to vaccinate over 820,000 children in five days with the support of over 3,000 teams. Similarly, Vehari and North Waziristan have launched ambitious plans to vaccinate hundreds of thousands of children, with substantial security arrangements to ensure the safety of health workers.
Yesterday, PM Shehbaz urged parents to vaccinate their children and acknowledged international support from entities like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WHO, and Saudi Arabia in Pakistan’s fight against polio.
Polio, a viral disease that predominantly affects children under five, can lead to paralysis and is potentially fatal. While incurable, vaccination is the most effective prevention method.
Pakistan, alongside Afghanistan, remains one of the last two polio-endemic countries. Despite a significant reduction in cases in recent years, the uptick poses challenges, particularly in areas with security issues and vaccination hesitancy.
Balochistan is notably affected, with 26 cases reported this year, highlighting the ongoing urgency of the eradication efforts.
