ISLAMABAD: More than 40 million children under the age of five years received vaccination during the latest nationwide anti-polio campaign.

A total of 287,000 frontline polio workers were deployed across the country for door-to-door vaccination, observing strict standard operating procedures in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.

Around 32m children were given vitamin A supplements during the campaign.

Strict Covid-induced SOPs observed by health workers

National Coordinator for the Polio Eradication Initiative and Expanded Programme of Immunisation Dr Rana Mohammad Safdar said in a statement that the fight against poliovirus was rejuvenated through the delivery of successful polio campaigns last year.

“Thanks to our frontline workers for their dedication and commitment to reach every households with life-saving vaccine during the first nationwide campaign this year. Despite harsh weather, with the support of the parents, partners and security forces, the programme has managed to implement the campaign successfully,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2021