The five-day polio eradication campaign takes place in five countries, where 16.5 million children under the age of five will be vaccinated. This campaign is fully operational in 36 districts of the country, active in 30 districts including 23 in Islamabad, 20 in Balochistan, 16 in Sindh and 6 in Punjab.
Internet services have been suspended in Cham, which borders Balochistan, due to security concerns. Authorities have tightened security measures in all three unions, and additional police officers have been deployed to ensure the security of the polio group. Yesterday, protest organizers tried to disrupt the campaign.
National Health Coordinator Prime Minister Dr. Malik Mukhtar asked parents to ensure that their children’s polio cases are reduced. Dr. Mukhtar reported that four children contracted polio this year, and continuous surveillance confirms that the virus is a serious threat to children. He also said that the government launched a campaign before Halloween to prevent the spread of the virus among people and protect more children from exposure.
