Over 2.2m Children Vaccinated In 6 Days Of Anti-polio Drive

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Oct, 2025) More than 2.2 million children under five years of age were administered polio vaccine

during the first six days of the ongoing week-long anti-polio campaign in Lahore, launched

under the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif for a “Zero Polio” Punjab.

A review meeting to assess the progress of campaign was held under the chairmanship

of Deputy Commissioner Lahore Syed Musa Raza at his office on Sunday.

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Chief Executive

Officer (Health) Dr. Asif Arbab, Assistant Commissioners, officials from the Health Department,

and observers from the World Health Organization (WHO).

During the meeting, CEO Health Dr Asif Arbab briefed that more than 2.212 million children

were vaccinated across the provincial capital so far, while an additional 73,900 missed out

children were covered during the first catch-up day. The district administration and health

teams remained fully active in the field to achieve the set targets, he added.

Dr Asif Arbab further informed that the campaign achieved over 99 percent of its target,

while more than 1.

559 million households were successfully covered, marking the coverage

rate of over 95 percent. The WHO representatives expressed satisfaction over the overall

performance of the district teams and appreciated the dedication and commitment of field

staff working tirelessly to eradicate the crippling disease.

Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza emphasized that the anti-polio campaign must be

made a complete success in every respect. He directed all Assistant Commissioners to

minimize the number of missed out children and instructed the Deputy District Health

Officers (DDHOs) to ensure strict field monitoring.

He also directed that 100 percent coverage must be ensured in schools, and any operational

issues should be reported immediately to the district administration for prompt action. “All children

under five years of age must be vaccinated, achieving the targets is mandatory,” the DC stressed,

warning that officers failing to meet their targets would be held accountable.

“Making Lahore polio-free is a shared responsibility. We must perform our national duty

for the sake of our children’s future,” he added.