Basant guest kids vaccinated

Number of polio drop recipients up 19% from December

LAHORE:

Amid challenges posed by an influx of people into Lahore during the Basant season, 19 per cent additional guest children were vaccinated against polio in Lahore during a fresh campaign as compared to the December National Immunisation Days.

According to a statement, the district achieved 99% coverage this month.

However, the Punjab Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) condemned misbehaviour directed at two female polio workers during the vaccination activities in Lahore. Punjab EOC Coordinator Adeel Tasawur expressed solidarity with the affected workers and their families, stating that the dedication of frontline polio workers could not be overstated.

"These workers operate in challenging conditions to protect children's health, regardless of where they live. Their safety and dignity must be respected at all times," he said.

He said there had been an unprecedented show of support for polio eradication with a constructive role of local community leaders.

Emphasising the importance of sustained vaccination, he stated that eradicating polio requires reaching every child. "Punjab has achieved high coverage during National Immunisation Days, with 99% of children vaccinated," he said.

The expression of concern about safety came after vaccination teams were assaulted in two incidents, prompting police to register cases against the attackers. In Harbancepura, eight people, including three women, allegedly attacked a polio team during the door-to-door vaccination drive. According to FIR, the team, led by UC-44 in-charge Nadeem Ashraf with workers Mobeen and Rabia, visited Mehar Fiyaz Colony to administer polio drops to children. At a house, the team requested to vaccinate a child but was asked to leave. Police said the owner, Sumira. called three women along with five unidentified men who allegedly subjected the polio workers to violence.

In Shahdara, a female polio in-charge and her team were allegedly beaten up. A case was registered on the complaint of Arifa Tahir, the police said.