Punjab is set to launch a seven-day Polio vaccination campaign from September 21, targeting more than 10.64 million children under the age of five across 13 districts.

The campaign aims to reach children who were missed during previous vaccination rounds. Special attention will be given to children living in mobile and high-risk communities.

The Punjab provincial polio task force reviewed preparations for the upcoming drive during a meeting held at the Civil Secretariat. Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique chaired the meeting.

Senior health officials, commissioners, deputy commissioners, and representatives from international partner organisations attended the session. Officials discussed plans to ensure effective vaccination coverage across targeted areas.

The campaign will continue from September 21 to September 27 across 1,376 union councils. Lahore will receive vaccination services throughout all seven days.

In other selected districts, vaccination activities will continue for four days. The campaign will focus on improving coverage and reaching children who missed earlier doses.

Districts Covered Under Polio Campaign

Eight districts will receive complete vaccination coverage during the campaign. These include Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Sheikhupura.

Targeted vaccination activities will also be conducted in selected union councils of Attock, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Kasur, and Mianwali.

Health officials said the campaign will focus on areas with frequent population movement. Teams will work to ensure children in these communities are included.

Thousands of Teams to Participate

A total of 77,488 workers will participate in the vaccination drive. They will operate through 39,774 teams across Punjab.

Among these, 36,420 mobile teams will visit homes and provide vaccination services. These teams aim to vaccinate more than 8.16 million children through door-to-door visits.

The campaign will also include 2,060 fixed teams at healthcare facilities. Additionally, 1,294 transit teams will operate at bus stands, travel routes, and important entry and exit points.

Officials Direct Measures for Better Coverage

Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique instructed officials to use all available resources during the campaign. He emphasized ensuring that no child is left without vaccination.

He also directed teams to focus on children who were not vaccinated in previous rounds. Families that frequently move between locations will receive special attention.

Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman instructed deputy commissioners to personally monitor the campaign in targeted districts. He called for improved vaccination coverage among missed children.

Field supervisors and area teams have also been directed to closely monitor activities. Special focus will remain on locations with high population movement.

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The latest Polio vaccination campaign in Punjab is part of ongoing efforts to protect children and strengthen immunization coverage across the province. Officials said coordinated efforts between health teams and local administrations will help achieve the campaign targets.