Lahore – Punjab has made significant strides in curbing poliovirus circulation across the province, but authorities have cautioned that the fight against polio is far from over, emphasizing the need for sustained vigilance during the ongoing high transmission season.
High Transmission Season Underway
Speaking at a media workshop organized by the Punjab Emergency Operations Centre, Chief Minister’s Focal Person for Polio, Ms. Uzma Kardar, stated that the high transmission season for poliovirus has commenced and will persist through October.
“The current weather conditions are highly conducive to poliovirus transmission. While Punjab has achieved remarkable progress, we cannot afford complacency until polio is eradicated completely and Pakistan achieves polio-free certification,” she said.
Vaccination Campaigns Yield Results
Ms. Kardar highlighted that extensive vaccination campaigns conducted ahead of the high transmission season have helped reduce the positivity rate of environmental samples across Punjab to just 2 percent, compared to 26 percent at the end of 2025. She noted that out of 200 environmental samples collected in 2026, only four tested positive for poliovirus, while all samples collected in May were negative, reflecting the effectiveness of ongoing eradication efforts.
“Punjab is registering important successes against polio, but these gains remain temporary as long as the virus exists anywhere in Pakistan,” she emphasized. “The government will continue working tirelessly until the virus is eradicated from every corner of the country.”
Risk of Population Movement
Ms. Kardar warned that population movement remains a risk factor for the reintroduction and spread of poliovirus, underscoring the need for continued immunization and surveillance efforts.
She informed participants that Punjab has already conducted two National Immunization Days and one special vaccination campaign in 2026, achieving approximately 99 percent coverage of eligible children in all three rounds. The schedule for the remaining 2026 campaigns has been finalized, with a potential targeted campaign planned for selected districts in July, followed by nationwide campaigns in October and December.
Appeal to Parents
Appealing to parents, Ms. Kardar urged them to cooperate fully with polio teams and ensure that every child receives polio drops during every campaign. “As long as poliovirus exists anywhere in Pakistan, every child remains at risk. Parents should continue vaccinating their children in every campaign, regardless of previous doses,” she said.
She also advised parents to reject misinformation and fake news related to vaccines and seek information only from credible and verified sources.
Recognition of Efforts
Ms. Kardar credited the progress made against polio to the leadership of the Chief Minister of Punjab, the Health Minister, health authorities, development partners, and the dedication of frontline polio workers. “Our polio workers are frontline heroes whose commitment and hard work continue to protect children from a lifelong disability,” she said.
The media workshop was organized to strengthen collaboration with journalists and media organizations, recognizing their critical role in raising public awareness, promoting vaccine acceptance, and keeping polio eradication high on the public agenda until the virus is eliminated.
