The Punjab Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has finalised all arrangements for the upcoming fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fIPV) campaign scheduled from November 3 to November 12 across 122 union councils of Lahore.
During the campaign, all children aged four months to 15 years will receive the fractional injectable polio vaccine.
According to registration data compiled by health staff in the targeted union councils, the campaign aims to reach a household target of 1.6 million children. More than 12,500 frontline workers—including outreach teams, fixed-site teams, community mobilizers, AICs and UCMOs—will participate in the drive.
On Friday, EOC Coordinator Adeel Tasawur chaired a review meeting to assess the Lahore district team’s level of preparedness. He urged the district administration to prioritise the training of skilled vaccinators and ensure proper orientation on the use of injectors for vaccine administration.
“A single dose of fIPV serves as an effective booster in previously immunised individuals, helping restore waning mucosal protection,” he said. “Expanding the target group up to 15 years of age is a critical step in interrupting WPV transmission driven by re-infected individuals.”
Mr Tasawur stated that strengthening mucosal immunity in partially immune populations may also counteract the evolutionary changes in WPV1 that reduce natural protection.
“History reminds us that the final stretch of eradication is often the most challenging. Even the slightest complacency can undo years of progress. Despite the immense challenges posed by recent floods, the onset of winter provides a crucial opportunity to break remaining transmission barriers in core reservoirs across the country,” he said.
He further shared that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Provincial Minister for Health & Population Imran Nazeer are personally monitoring preparations and will provide leadership throughout the campaign period.
“The evolving epidemiology and genetic evolution of WPV1 demand adjustments to Pakistan’s eradication strategy,” he emphasised. “A strategic, single-dose fIPV mass campaign for children up to 15 years of age in core WPV1 reservoirs—including Lahore—is the preferred course of action.”
The Punjab EOC has urged parents and caregivers to ensure that their children are vaccinated during the campaign to protect them from lifelong paralysis and to support Pakistan’s final push toward polio eradication.
