Punjab Intensifies Anti-Polio Efforts with Geotagging Initiative

The Punjab government has launched a geotagging initiative to enhance anti-polio vaccination efforts, particularly targeting the migrant population. This initiative is part of an upcoming anti-polio drive that aims to vaccinate over 23 million children under the age of five in Pakistan. The drive is set to start on October 28, with a goal of vaccinating 45 million children. Unfortunately, the country has reported 41 polio cases in 2024, with the majority of cases distributed across Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Islamabad. Notably, intense transmission of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) has been reported in Balochistan, highlighting the need for intensified vaccination efforts. The geotagging initiative is a crucial step in addressing the issue and ensuring that all children, especially those in migrant populations, receive the necessary vaccinations to protect them from the disease.