Punjab launches first polio vaccination campaign of 2026

2026-02-02 - 11:06

Punjab on Monday launched its province-wide polio immunisation campaign, reaffirming the commitment to ending poliovirus transmission and protecting every child from lifelong disability. Speaking at the inauguration, Health and Population Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir stated that polio eradication remains a top priority of the provincial government and that all available resources are being mobilised to reach every eligible child. He emphasised the importance of community cooperation and urged the public to extend full support to frontline polio workers during the campaign. The campaign aims to vaccinate 17.8 million children under five years of age across Punjab. More than 200,000 trained polio workers have been deployed for door-to-door vaccination activities, with special focus on priority and high-risk districts to prevent any resurgence of the virus. EOC Coordinator Adeel Tasawur commended the efforts of district administrations and field teams, highlighting a major epidemiological milestone. He stated that all six environmental surveillance sites in Lahore have tested negative for poliovirus, reflecting improved campaign quality, strengthened monitoring, and enhanced district-level ownership. Chief Minister’s Focal Person for Polio, Azma Kardar, emphasised that complete eradication of polio requires sustained hard work, strict oversight, and collective responsibility. She said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Punjab is progressing steadily toward a polio-free future and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to ensure effective polio control in 2026. The campaign was inaugurated at Khan Colony, Lahore, in the presence of senior government officials, community leaders, tribal and priority population representatives, and development partners. UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Ramiz Behbudov, and Health Secretary Nadia Saquib joined the inauguration among other participants, underscoring strong government–partner collaboration in the fight against polio. As a gesture of solidarity and trust, tribal representatives presented a traditional turban to the Health Minister. Pakistan remains one of the few countries where poliovirus transmission persists. However, sustained vaccination campaigns, strengthened surveillance, and improved campaign quality have resulted in encouraging epidemiological trends, including recent negative environmental samples from all surveillance sites in Lahore. The government has once again appealed to parents and caregivers to ensure that every eligible child receives polio drops, and called on communities to treat polio workers with respect and kindness, recognising their vital contribution to safeguarding children’s health.