By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
KHYBER: Community leaders, political and religious figures, youth activists, journalists, and government officials have vowed to leave no child unvaccinated in the upcoming anti-polio drive, reaffirming their resolve during an awareness session at Jirga Hall, Landikotal, on Tuesday.
Organized by the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) Khyber, the event aimed to rally public support ahead of the September 1–8 vaccination campaign. A large turnout of parents, elders, elected representatives, and officials attended the gathering.
Polio Communication Officer for district Khyber, Said Afzal Shinwari, stressed that administering two drops of polio vaccine in every round was essential to safeguard children from life-long disability. He shared that Pakistan had recorded 19 polio cases in 2025 so far—12 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, five in Sindh, and one each in Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab, with the most recent case in Lakki Marwat on August 5.
Highlighting persistent challenges, Shinwari said that 87 refusal cases were reported in District Khyber during the last campaign, most of which were linked to community demands. He urged residents to take collective responsibility for the eradication efforts and confirmed that over 211,345 children under five would be targeted for vaccination in the next drive.
Elected councillor Abudarda Shinwari called on public representatives to actively back the campaign, while Zwan Sadokhel Organization President Mehrab Shah urged locals not to attach polio vaccination to unrelated demands.
The meeting ended with a joint pledge to ensure that every child in Khyber receives the vaccine and that the district moves one step closer to being polio-free.
