Comprehensive Campaign Strategy Unveiled for Nationwide Target
Islamabad’s district administration has approved an extensive polio vaccination campaign scheduled from October 13 to 19, aiming to inoculate 461,125 children across 80 union councils. The week-long drive is part of the capital’s push to eliminate poliovirus once and for all.
A high‑level meeting, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad, reviewed readiness. Senior officials from health and district administration were briefed on past performance, campaign targets, and polio status in Pakistan. The session underscored that every child under age five in Islamabad is targeted for an oral polio vaccine. Field teams, mobile units, and health centres are being deployed to ensure household reach, especially in hard‑to‑access areas.
Officials emphasized the need to leave no child unvaccinated. The campaign will use door‑to‑door visits, special counters at schools, health centres, and public places to maximize uptake. Lessons from earlier campaigns were also discussed: gaps were noted in areas with population movement, family refusals, or logistic challenges. The DC directed that monitoring and quick gap‑filling be priorities during the upcoming drive.
Challenges, Monitoring, and Community Appeal
Historical data from 2016 to 2025 were compared against other provinces to gauge progress. While Islamabad made major gains, polio remains endemic in Pakistan, making sustained campaigns critical. In prior rounds, children were missed due to refusals, absence, or technical team issues. The DC stressed that these issues must be anticipated and addressed in real time.
Thousands of health workers, supervisors, and volunteers will operate across the city. Parallel awareness campaigns will run to counter misinformation and encourage parental cooperation. The administration appealed directly to parents: “Your support is critical—no child should remain unvaccinated.”
The meeting ended with a unified call for collaboration between federal, provincial, and district authorities, as well as community stakeholders, to realize a polio‑free Pakistan. Islamabad’s leaders expressed confidence that with focused planning, real‑time monitoring, and public participation, the target of over 461,000 children vaccinated is achievable.
