Polio campaign in Punjab as part of the National Immunization Day will be held from April 17 to 19. The campaign will target 18.7 million under-5 children. Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir directed the districts to ensure all campaign targets are achieved. In this regard, the district administrations across Punjab have held preparatory meetings for the campaign. Secretary Primary and Secondary Healthcare Punjab Ali Jan Khan said the department has constituted over 44 thousand teams in the province which include mobile, fixed teams and transit teams. The campaign will be held in all 36 districts of Punjab and after the three day campaign, catch up activity for missed children will continue. Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Khawaja Imran Nazir has asked all parents to get their children vaccinated against polio. “Punjab is focusing on Multan, Rawalpindi and Lahore because of recent positive environmental samples,” he said. Punjab’s Emergency Operation Coordinator Dr. Munir Ahmed said recent environmental samples have been a cause of concern indicating the presence virus in the environment. Dr. Munir also said, “We are trying to reach out to mobile and migrant population coming from polio affected areas. In case of teams not reaching any area, parents may contact helpline 0800 99000."
