Rawalpindi polio drive records 91pc households vaccination on day one; says Uzma Kardar

RAWALPINDI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th May, 2026) The ongoing Sub-National Immunisation Days (SNIDs) campaign recorded steady progress on the first day in Rawalpindi district.

Addressing a press conference, Uzma Kardar, Punjab Focal Person for the anti-polio programme, said the Rawalpindi district had set a target of vaccinating 9,89,924 children up to 59 months of age.

She informed media reps that 2,90,262 children were vaccinated on the first day, achieving 29 percent coverage.

"Very encouraging results have been observed on the first day", she said adding that field teams were working diligently.

Highlighting field performance, Uzma said that out of 2,48,828 households, 2,25,668 were covered, reflecting 91 percent household coverage, while 9 percent households, comprising 22,025, remained not available and would be revisited.

She said that apart from house-to-house vaccination, 79,143 children were covered outside homes, including 9,356 at transit and public points.

She added that 12,952 guest children were vaccinated, while 6,902 children received polio drops at health facilities and fixed sites, and 38,944 were covered through school-based activities.

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Uzma Kardar said Rawalpindi district comprises seven tehsils and 188 union councils, including 38 high-risk union councils.

Sharing further statistical information, Uzma highlighted that 4,215 mobile teams, 232 fixed teams and 176 transit teams had been deployed, supported by 686 area in-charges and 200 Union Council Medical Officers (UCMOs) to ensure smooth implementation of the campaign.

Referring to Murree district, she said the campaign targets 67,832 children, including 46,106 through house-to-house visits.

"Murree comprises two tehsils and 24 union councils, where 516 mobile teams, 30 fixed teams and 18 transit teams have been deployed, supervised by 79 area in-charges and 25 UCMOs", she said.

Uzma Kardar said that strict monitoring and revisit strategies were being implemented to ensure that every child is reached and no one is left unvaccinated during the campaign.

It worth mentioning that Punjab has initiated the special polio vaccination drive for 10 districts including Rawalpindi.

Abdul Rahman, ADC (HQ), Dr. Ehsan Ghani, CEO District Health Authority and Dr Jawad Zahid, DHO were also present during the presser.