LAHORE: Punjab has wrapped up a special polio eradication campaign which was launched on July 1 to respond to positive environmental samples in several provincial cities and polio cases in hotspots outside the province.

Based on the programme risk categorization, presently there are eight outbreak districts including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, DG Khan, Okara, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala and Faisalabad. Of the above eight, Lahore and Rawalpindi are repeatedly reporting outbreaks.

Apart from the outbreak districts, there are six priority districts including Rahimyar Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Attock, Sheikhupura and Sialkot. Remaining 22 districts are maintenance districts with low risk of virus importation.

As per the data received, in the first six days, Punjab managed to vaccinate 3.9 million children in the five case response districts. Seventh and final day data was still being compiled till filing of this report.

Lahore topped the list of districts with most vaccinated children, followed by Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, Lodhran and Muzaffargarh.Earlier, chairing a review meeting, Punjab EOC Coordinator Mr Khizer Afzaal expressed concern about sub-optimal performance of Deputy District Health Officers, highlighting the need for capacity building of the officials.