Anti-polio drops to be administered to children during Eid days in Punjab

The Punjab government has set up 92 points across the province to administer anti-polio drops to protect children from the deadly virus during the Eid days as eight environmental samples tested positive across Punjab.

According to 24NewsHD TV channel, anti-polio drops would be administered at 92 sites and more than 500 polio workers would perform their duties at these special points during Eid days.

In a press statement issued on Monday, Punjab Anti-Polio Program head Dr Khizr Afzal claimed that the authorities had prepared a special plan for polio prevention on Eid days.

He said the Polio virus had been found in environmental samples of Lahore, Multan, Okara, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi.

Khizar Iqbal said that special counters had been set up at bus terminals, railway stations, and entry, and exit points of the high-risk districts as a large number of people traveled from one district to other areas of the country during Eid days. “Polio teams have been deployed at special points who will administer polio drops to children below five years,” he said adding that polio vaccination sites will help prevent the spread of polio. Polio teams will be deployed at special points till April 20.

The Coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre and head of the polio eradication program in Punjab Khizer Afzaal further added that the Polio virus can pose serious risks to children.