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RAWALPINDI, Dec 19 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is personally monitoring the province’s polio campaigns, with strict instructions for mandatory polio drops at border entry points to prevent virus importation from neighboring regions.
This was told by Uzma Kardar, Focal Person to the Chief Minister on polio, during a press conference on Friday. She emphasizing Punjab’s strong performance in polio immunization campaign and said that the province was polio-free two to three years ago but saw cases emerge due to population movement from Attock and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Describing polio as a ‘cruel virus’ spread through feces and sewage, she stressed the full mobilization of Punjab’s health department. She said that Punjab has reported only one polio case in 2025 so far.
“At the national level, cases dropped from 74 in 2024 to 30 as of mid-December 2025”, she said.
Uzma informed the media reps that enhanced security was being provided to polio teams, while efforts continued to counter fake news and misinformation spread on social media by certain elements regarding vaccine and the vaccination drive. Uzma Kardar expressed optimism that Punjab could be declared polio-free by 2026.
She highlighted that in Rawalpindi, the final major drive of the year achieved strong results despite recent positive environmental samples indicating virus circulation.
The district targeted over 989,924 children aged under 5 years, with a house-to-house focus on 722,056.
Uzma informed media reps that more than 4,731 mobile teams, along with fixed and transit teams, covered 200 union councils.
According to official data, the latest NID vaccinated 719,623 children in house-to-house efforts, 97 percent coverage against a target of 744,940, with additional vaccinations at 30,163 out-of-house sites, 94,426 schools, 21,208 fixed sites, and 35,788 transit points.
Throughout the year, Rawalpindi conducted five dr8ves deploying 225 UC Supervisors, 765 Area Supervisors, thousands of teams, 262 fixed sites, and 194 transit teams. All campaigns passed post-campaign assessments, maintaining an overall 98% market survey coverage.
“Punjab health departments remain vigilant amid ongoing risks, committed to high immunization rates, effective supervision, and community engagement to secure a polio-free future”, she added.
Deputy Commissioner Rawlapindi, Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema on the occasion informed that 46000 children vaccinated during the recent campaign were guests population. “A huge number of guest kids vaccinated during the campaign reflects the total commitment of the health authority for achieving the maximum target”, he said.
He further informed that measures were taken inside the department to address any negligence by the polio workers.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), District Health Authority Rawalpindi, Dr. Ehsan Ghani termed the two positive environmental samples an alert for the district as well as the province, indicating circulation of the virus.
He expressed optimism, saying that due to the intensity of ongoing interventions, environmental samples are expected to turn negative in the coming month. He added that samples from another sensitive site, Taxila, have consistently remained negative.
He informed that the recent positive environment samples stemmed from Karachi and Mianwali, adding that no local sensitivity is seen in Rawalpindi.
According to the details, during the first quarter of the running year, the district remained stable but in May, WPV1 circulation came in visible mode.
Parents are urged to cooperate with vaccination teams, ensuring every child receives drops to protect against this preventable disease. Punjab’s coordinated efforts, aligned with national goals, continue to drive progress toward eradication.
Dr Shumaila Akbar, twin cities’ Co ordinator from World Health Coordination (WHO) during the presser endorsed the results while commending the efforts by the health department. WHO found 98% success rate of the recent campaign through post survey assessment (LQAS).