Rawalpindi has kicked off a massive five-day polio vaccination campaign, aiming to immunize over one million children under the age of five. The drive covers all major urban and rural areas of the district, including Gujar Khan, Kahuta, Murree, and Taxila, as part of Pakistan’s ongoing push to eradicate the disease.
An Army of Health Workers on the Ground
The District Health Authority (DHA) has deployed thousands of health professionals to ensure no child is missed. The campaign involves:
- 4,731 mobile vaccination teams to reach door-to-door,
- 263 fixed centers for parents to bring their children,
- 194 transit teams to cover high-traffic areas like bus terminals,
- and a network of 225 union council medical officers and 765 area in-charges overseeing operations.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema said that mobile teams will be crucial in reaching remote and migrant-heavy areas, but stressed that “lasting success depends on tackling challenges like awareness and access.”
He called on community leaders, including religious scholars and local representatives, to help build public trust and encourage participation.
From ‘Red Zone’ to ‘Yellow Zone’
Rawalpindi’s improved vaccination coverage has already moved the district out of Punjab’s “red zone” for polio risk, according to health officials. However, Dr. Cheema warned against complacency, noting that Rawalpindi’s large migrant population from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and nearby regions leaves it vulnerable to polio, dengue, and other diseases.
He ordered tighter monitoring at the micro level and warned of disciplinary action against negligent staff, emphasizing that “not a single child should be left without drops.”
Heavy Security for the Campaign
To safeguard health workers, Rawalpindi Police have deployed 1,800 officers to escort 554 vaccination teams across the district. Additional security has been placed at 304 transit points and 207 fixed centers, with Elite Force and Dolphin Force units conducting patrols.
Police officials described the arrangements as “foolproof,” reaffirming their commitment to protecting both citizens and frontline workers during the campaign.
