Rawalpindi:During the anti-polio campaign under National Immunization Day (NID) in the district, the District Health Authority Rawalpindi has achieved 97 per cent of the specific households’ target identified in the pre-campaign micro-plans as the number of ‘still missed children’ has turned out to be 24308 after completion of critical 4-days anti-polio drive.
Data collected by ‘The News’ on Friday has revealed that a total of 966,859 children under five years of age have been vaccinated so far out of the administrative target children 1057756 that amounts to 91 per cent administrative coverage while on household target, the field teams have hit 97 per cent of the specific households identified in the pre-campaign micro-plans.
As the campaign enters its final phase, health teams are working to close the gap on 24,308 ‘Still Missed’ children. On Day 04 alone, the teams successfully tracked down and vaccinated 86 per cent of children who were previously unavailable during the first three days, said District Focal Person for Media Dr. Waqar Ahmed while talking to ‘The News’ on Friday.
He added the DHA has shifted focus from primary door-to-door coverage to intensive ‘catch-up’ activities for missed children. Low resistance has been recorded during the campaign as the refusal cases remain extremely low, with only 936 refusals, mostly on medical grounds, across the entire district – a testament to successful community mobilization and the support of local religious leaders, said Dr. Waqar.
According to details, of 748116 children, target from micro-plan, the teams have successfully vaccinated as many as 726118 children below five years of age across the district achieving 97 per cent of the target.
Dr. Waqar said the campaign has utilized a ‘diversified reach’ strategy to ensure no child is left behind. Over 102,000 children were vaccinated at educational institutions while more than 56,000 children were reached at bus terminals, markets, and fixed health centers. In a dual-health win, 768,863 children also received Vitamin A supplements to boost overall immunity, he said.
He added that with zero positive environmental samples in Rawalpindi so far in 2026, this campaign is our best opportunity to maintain a polio-free status. Our frontline workers are now focused on the final three per cent of missed households to ensure 100 per cent protection.
According to District Health Officer (Preventive Services) Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Jawad Zahid, the household coverage during the campaign was recorded the highest in Kallar Syedan, 100 per cent followed by 99 per cent in Rawalpindi Rural and Kahuta. The household coverage remained the lowest in Rawalpindi Cantonment 94 per cent, Rawalpindi City, 96 per cent and 97 per cent in Taxila and Kotli Sattian. In Tehsil Gujar Khan and Murree, the coverage of the household target was recorded as 98 per cent.
