PESHAWAR: The District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC) has completed preparations for a six-day special polio booster dose campaign in 48 high-risk union councils of Peshawar, targeting 1,111,107 children aged four months to 10 years from today (Monday).

The campaign aims to strengthen children’s immunity against poliovirus and reduce its transmission, particularly in areas where environmental samples have detected the virus.

Recent polio cases in Khyber district and other parts of the province have highlighted the continued threat of the disease. The recent infection of a 10-year-old child in Khyber has also underscored the need to protect older children against the virus.

During the campaign, health teams will administer booster doses to eligible children at schools, health facilities and community vaccination points.

Children aged five to 10 years in the targeted union councils will also receive oral polio vaccine drops.

The DEOC has deployed 1,728 trained polio teams and 1,383 social mobilisers to ensure the campaign’s effective implementation. Authorities have also made security arrangements for vaccination teams.

Peshawar deputy commissioner Afaq Wazir has urged parents to ensure that their children aged four months to 10 years receive the booster dose to protect them from lifelong disability caused by polio.

He also called on religious scholars, healthcare professionals and civil society representatives to support the campaign and help ensure that all eligible children receive the vaccine.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2026