MUZAFFARABAD: According to official sources, the polio eradication campaign began across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Monday. The Polio vaccination campaign aims to vaccinate millions.
Polio vaccination in Muzaffarabad
The AJK State Health Department reported that the campaign aims to vaccinate at least 742,500 children under five years old across all 10 districts of the region. In Muzaffarabad alone, over 130,000 children are set to receive the polio vaccine.
To carry out the campaign, 3,995 mobile teams of paramedical staff will go door to door, while 448 fixed centres will be set up in government hospitals and health facilities.
The drive is being organized by the AJK State Health Services Department, collaborating with the World Health Organization (WHO). More than 5,000 workers will be involved in administering the vaccine.
Vaccination centres will be established at state-run hospitals, basic health units, rural health centres, and other locations. Additionally, 169 transit points will be set up under the supervision of designated officials. The campaign will be overseen by 844 area in-charges at the union council level across AJK, covering 35 tehsils and 245 union councils.
A central polio control room has been set up at the office of the Provincial Program Manager in Muzaffarabad to monitor the campaign and address any complaints.
Polio vaccination in the Mirpur district
Previously, In Mirpur district, at least 76,656 children under five will be vaccinated. Deputy Commissioner Mirpur, Yasir Riaz Chaudhry, launched the campaign by administering polio drops to children at a special camp set up at the District Health Office.
Previously, District Health Officer Dr Fida Hussain stated that 431 mobile teams will cover all 51 zones, in addition to 41 fixed centres and 14 transit points, to ensure children receive the vaccine.
At a recent meeting to finalize the campaign’s arrangements, the DHO urged parents to cooperate with vaccination teams to ensure their children’s immunization.
Health authorities in AJK have reaffirmed that no polio cases have been reported in the region for over 24 years.
Polio vaccination campaign on the national level
The first national polio eradication campaign of 2025 has officially begun, aiming to vaccinate over 45 million children across the country.
Parents and guardians are urged to support polio workers and ensure their children receive the vaccine. It is emphasized that vaccinating all children under five is both a national and moral responsibility.
Previously, Deputy Commissioner Lahore, Syed Musa Raza, stated that the campaign aims to vaccinate more than 2.2 million children. Administrative officers will closely monitor the campaign, and parents have been urged and recommended to cooperate with polio teams. He reiterated that the goal is to make Lahore polio-free.
The first anti-polio campaign of 2025 has also begun in Balochistan, where more than 2.66 million children will be vaccinated.
The coordinator of the Emergency Operation Center Balochistan, Inam-ul-Haq Khan, stated that over 11,000 teams are participating in the campaign. He noted that in 2024, 73 polio cases were reported nationwide, with Balochistan recording the highest number at 27.
He stressed that 2025 must be the year to eliminate polio cases and assured that security will be provided to all teams involved in the campaign.
