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Punjab Minister for Health & Population, Khawaja Imran Nazir, has urged parents to ensure that their children aged four months to 15 years receive the fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fiPV) during the campaign starting on November 3 in 122 selected union councils of Lahore. Addressing a media briefing on Thursday, he said the fiPV campaign will be conducted only once in 122 union councils of Lahore, targeting children aged four months to 15 years, to boost their immunity against the poliovirus. The minister emphasised that this small preventive step protects children from lifelong disability. “Our polio workers are our heroes, reaching every household. We request full cooperation from parents, so no child is left behind,” he stated. Imran Nazir highlighted the role of media in supporting the government’s efforts by countering misinformation and ensuring accurate messages reach communities. “Community outreach is not possible without media support,” he said. “We count on the media to help us again in this critical campaign.” Chief Minister’s Focal Person for Polio, Uzma Kardar, said the campaign is an important opportunity to reach young parents with correct information about vaccines. She stressed that repeated vaccination is essential because the poliovirus continues to circulate in different areas. “Protecting children is a shared responsibility. Parents must cooperate with vaccination teams,” she added. Head of the Punjab Polio Eradication Programme, Adeel Tassawur, reaffirmed that reaching every eligible child in the November fIPV round and the upcoming December National Immunisation Days (NIDs) remains the top priority. He appreciated the hard work of frontline teams and acknowledged the media’s contribution in improving identification and coverage of children in recent campaigns. “We must ensure every child receives polio vaccines — this is essential for a polio-free future,” he said.
