ISLAMABAD: A five-day countrywide anti-polio campaign was formally kicked off on Monday (today) under tight security measures.
During the campaign, over 39.4 million children under the age of five years will be administered the anti-polio drops across the country.
Health authorities said the campaign will continue from February 17-21, while it will be extended to seven days in more sensitive areas of the country.
It further added over 2, 65,000 anti-polio workers will participate in the drive.
In Islamabad Capital Territory 3, 56,000 children, Azad Kashmir 6, 90,000 children and in Gilgit-Baltistan 2, 40,000 children under the age of five years will be administered anti-polio drops.
About 19.9 million children will be administered polio vaccines in Punjab, 9.26 million children in Sindh and 2.46 mln children in Balochistan.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 6.7 million children under the age of five years will be administered the vaccine.
According to health officials, the overall count of polio cases across the country had jumped 134 in 2019 with 91 cases in KP, 24 cases in Sindh, eight in Punjab and 11 in Balochistan.
In 2020, so far 17 polio cases have been reported in Pakistan. Terming polio eradication as a national cause and a collective responsibility, government authorities have emphasized all people of the society, to make coordinated efforts to save the future children.
On February 18, Secretary-General United Nations will also administer the vaccine to children in Lahore.
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