ISLAMABAD: During this year’s third nationwide polio immunization campaign, more than 44.3 million children below the age of five across 159 districts received vaccinations.
Dr Nadeem Jan, the Caretaker Federal Minister for Health, emphasised the importance of parents ensuring their children receive these vaccinations during the ongoing drive, highlighting that every child deserves a healthy future free from preventable diseases like polio.
Dr. Nadeem stressed that safeguarding children’s well-being is a joint effort, citing the success of countries in eradicating polio through the collective support of communities, parents, religious figures, and social organisations. Emphasising the need for community engagement in Pakistan’s fight against polio, he urged communities to collaborate with the government.
Dr. Shahzad Baig, the Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, acknowledged the decrease in polio cases but highlighted the virus’s presence in sewage samples in several major cities. This indicated the existence of population pockets that missed vaccination, prompting the program to constantly reassess strategies and campaigns to reach these underserved populations. Dr. Baig ensured efforts to identify and vaccinate these missed populations persistently.
