Punjab Sets Target To Vaccinate 10.64 Million Children Against Polio
LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - September 16, 2026) Punjab health authorities have set a target to vaccinate over 10.64 million children under five years of age during a sub-national anti-polio campaign commencing across 13 selected districts on September 21.
This target was announced during a meeting of the Provincial Task Force for Polio Eradication, chaired by Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique at the Civil Secretariat here on Wednesday. The task force expressed satisfaction over ongoing efforts to eradicate the virus from the province.
Minister Rafique directed authorities to utilize all available resources to reach every child, with a focus on covering missed children and mobile populations. He instructed transit teams at bus stands, travel routes, and entry/exit points to remain fully operational, especially in high-risk areas experiencing frequent population movement. Furthermore, he directed UCMOs and area in-charges to strictly monitor field operations for effective coverage.
Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman ordered Deputy Commissioners in all targeted districts to personally supervise the campaign, with a particular emphasis on children missed during previous vaccination rounds.
Health officials informed the meeting that the campaign would run from September 21 to 27, covering 1,376 union councils across 13 districts. The drive will continue for seven days in Lahore and four days in the remaining districts.
Eight districts—Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Sheikhupura—will receive full coverage, while targeted union councils will be covered in Attock, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Kasur, and Mianwali.
A workforce of 77,488 personnel will be deployed through 39,774 teams to implement the campaign. This includes 36,420 mobile teams that will vaccinate over 8.16 million children door-to-door, 2,060 fixed teams at health centers, and 1,294 transit teams for vaccinations on the move.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Chief Minister's Focal Person for Polio Eradication Uzma Kardar, Primary and Secondary Healthcare Secretary, representatives of international partner organizations, and senior health officials. Divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners also participated through video link.