The Government of Pakistan has decided to launch a sub-national polio eradication campaign next month to curb the spread of the virus during the low transmission season.
According to the Ministry of Health, the aim of the campaign during the low transmission season is to stop the spread of the virus and ensure its control. The sub-national polio campaign will run from September 1 to 7, with two catch-up days for vaccinating children who may have been missed during the initial drive.
As per sources, around 28,716,528 children will be vaccinated during the campaign, which will cover 99 districts across Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and all four provinces. The campaign will be conducted in full in 80 districts and partially in 19 districts, covering 4,373 union councils.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 5,722,02 children will be vaccinated across 1,093 union councils of 27 districts; in Sindh, 8,970,77 children across 1,041 union councils of 25 districts; in Islamabad, 461,125 children across 80 union councils; in Balochistan, 2,182,301 children across 601 union councils of 26 districts; in Azad Kashmir, 168,915 children across 61 union councils of two districts; and in Gilgit-Baltistan, 18,017 children across 15 union councils of two districts.
More than 200,000 frontline polio workers will be deployed during the campaign. Preparations are underway under the supervision of provincial task forces in Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and all provinces. Emergency Operations Centers will manage campaigns in sensitive areas, while technical experts will be deployed in high-risk and priority regions to ensure proper planning and execution.
