LAHORE: More than 420,000 children received anti-polio drops on the inaugural day of the ongoing vaccination drive in Lahore, officials reported on Tuesday.
The progress was assessed at a joint meeting chaired by National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Coordinator Captain (R) Muhammad Anwar-ul-Haq, EOC Coordinator Adeel Tasawur, and Deputy Commissioner Lahore Syed Musa Raza at the DC office. The session was also attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), CEO Health Dr. Asif Arbab, Assistant Commissioners, World Health Organization (WHO) observers, and other relevant officials.
CEO Health Dr. Asif Arbab briefed the meeting that more than 6,000 polio teams were active throughout the city. He reported that the first-day coverage reached 87 percent of the target, with a total of 420,221 children vaccinated. This figure includes 31,140 guest children (children from outside the city) and 57,170 schoolchildren. He further added that 11,809 children residing in flood-affected areas were also successfully reached and immunized.
WHO observers commended the district administration and field staff for their effective coordination and performance.
National EOC Coordinator Captain (R) Muhammad Anwar-ul-Haq emphasized that every missed child must be traced and vaccinated, with special attention given to zero-dose and guest children. He welcomed the introduction of new tally sheets as a positive development and noted that the number of polio cases recorded in the country has fallen to its lowest level to date.
EOC Coordinator Adeel Tasawur stressed the need for the accurate registration of guest children and praised the frontline health workers for their unwavering commitment to protecting children from polio.
Deputy Commissioner Lahore Syed Musa Raza directed all District Departmental Health Officers (DDHOs) to ensure rigorous field monitoring. He stated that no child should be left unvaccinated and reaffirmed that the collective efforts of the teams would fully realize Chief Minister Punjab’s vision for a ‘Zero Polio Punjab’.
