Second phase of anti-polio campaign begins tomorrow in KP

PESHAWAR: The second phase of the province-wide anti-polio campaign is set to launch tomorrow in three key districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Tank, Lakki Marwat, and Dera Ismail Khan.

The health authorities have set a target to vaccinate over 672,000 children in these districts as part of their ongoing effort to eradicate the crippling disease.

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According to officials, the campaign will focus on administering polio vaccinations to 372,000 children in Dera Ismail Khan, 94,000 in Tank, and 250,000 in Lakki Marwat. The polio vaccination drive is considered vital as these regions are often considered high-risk due to frequent outbreaks and low immunisation coverage in the past.

To ensure smooth execution of the campaign, over 4,500 teams of trained polio workers have been deployed across the three districts. The teams will carry out door-to-door vaccinations to reach every eligible child. Special arrangements have been made to include children in remote areas, where access has traditionally been a challenge.

Security for the teams has been a top priority, especially given the challenges faced by health workers in recent years. More than 4,896 policemen have been deployed to safeguard the polio teams during the five-day campaign. The police force will accompany vaccination teams in areas identified as sensitive or vulnerable, ensuring both safety and uninterrupted progress in the fight against polio.

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This campaign is part of Pakistan’s broader commitment to polio eradication. Despite notable progress, Pakistan remains one of the few countries in the world where polio still exists.

In previous phases, the campaign has faced hurdles due to misinformation and resistance from local communities, but officials remain hopeful that increasing awareness and security measures will lead to a more successful outcome.

Authorities have urged parents to cooperate with the vaccination teams to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated.