RAWALPINDI: A week-long special polio drive to vaccinate children under the age of five was launched in Rawalpindi and Murree on Monday.

The special anti-polio campaign was launched in 10 selected districts of Punjab, including Rawalpindi. During the campaign that will continue till May 24, a total of 6.19 million children will be administered polio drops.

MNA Tahira Aurangzeb and Parliamentary Secretary Health Asma Naz Abbasi formally inaugurated the anti-polio campaign at Khayaban-i-Sir Syed Health Centre in Rawalpindi. District Health Authority chief Dr Ehsan Ghani was also present.

At the ceremony, children were administered anti-polio drops, while parents were urged to get their children vaccinated against polio so that they can be protected from the lifelong crippling disease.

MNA Aurangzeb said eradication of polio was among the top priorities of the government and all institutions were working together to fulfill this national duty.

She said that health workers are frontline heroes who are performing their responsibilities well even in difficult circumstances. She urged the parents to fully cooperate with the anti-polio teams and make sure to vaccinate their children during every campaign so that Pakistan can be made a polio-free country.

Dr Ghani, while giving a briefing, said special teams had been formed throughout the district which will go door to door to provide polio vaccine to children.

Meanwhile, the anti-polio campaign was launched in Murree by Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Umar Awais Kiani along with Chief Executive Officer Health Dr Azhar Mahmood Abbasi.

Kiani said complete eradication of polio is a national responsibility and to achieve this goal, parents, scholars, teachers and civil society will have to play their full role.

He said that the Punjab government is taking emergency measures to protect children from lifelong disabilities.

Dr Abbasi said special teams had been formed across the district which will provide services in urban and rural areas as per the fixed schedule.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2026