Flooding disrupts anti-polio drive in nine districts of Punjab, causing delay in vaccination campaign

In the face of ongoing flood-related disruptions, Pakistan's polio program has announced an anti-polio vaccination campaign in 99 districts across the country, starting Sept. 1. The aim of this campaign is to inoculate over 28 million children against polio, marking a crucial step in the nation's ongoing efforts to eradicate the disease.

However, the campaign in nine districts in eastern Punjab province - Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Okara, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Multan, Muzaffargarh, and Bahawalpur - has been postponed due to the floods. The decision was made by the Pakistani government authorities, who are closely monitoring the situation and working to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected communities.

Polio is a highly infectious and incurable disease that can cause lifelong paralysis. Despite significant progress made by Pakistan in recent years, with annual cases dropping from around 20,000 in the early 1990s to just eight in 2018, the virus has seen a resurgence in 2024, with 74 cases recorded. This year, Pakistan has reported six cases, and only one in 2021.

The only effective protection against polio is through repeated doses of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) for every child under five during each campaign. Timely completion of all routine immunizations is also crucial for polio protection. Parents are urged to make it mandatory for their children below 5 years of age to be given polio drops.

Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan are the only two countries where polio is still endemic. The campaign in Rawalpindi, Attock, Mianwali, Faisalabad, DG Khan, Rajanpura, and Rahim Yar Khan districts of Punjab will be held as per schedule, marking a vital opportunity to continue the progress made in the fight against polio.

The floods in Pakistan have caused rivers Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej to swell to dangerous levels, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate in Punjab province, Pakistan's most populous region. The government and health authorities are working tirelessly to ensure that the vaccination campaign can proceed as smoothly as possible once the floodwaters recede.

In conclusion, the polio vaccination campaign in Pakistan remains a critical component of the nation's public health strategy. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing floods, the campaign will continue, with the aim of protecting millions of children from this devastating disease.

Flooding disrupts anti-polio drive in nine districts of Punjab, causing delay in vaccination campaign