The anti-polio campaign has been postponed in nine districts of Punjab due to severe flooding. The affected areas include Multan, Muzaffargarh, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Okara, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Bahawalpur.
Health officials said the decision was made to protect vaccination teams and residents in flood-hit areas. Many families have been displaced, and rescue operations are ongoing.
The polio drive will continue in other parts of the country as planned. It is scheduled to begin nationwide on September 1.
According to the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), the campaign remains on track in districts that are not impacted by the floods. These include Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Attock, Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, and Rahim Yar Khan.
Floods caused by heavy rains have badly affected parts of southern Punjab. Rising waters in the Chenab and Sutlej rivers have forced evacuations in many areas, especially in Multan.
Officials say the temporary halt in polio vaccinations is necessary due to the scale of the emergency. Relief and rescue operations are now the top priority in flooded regions.
NEOC has urged parents across the country to ensure their children under five receive polio drops. The center stressed that public cooperation is key to eradicating the disease.
Polio remains a serious threat in Pakistan, one of the few countries where the virus is still present. Health authorities continue to work with global partners to stop its spread.
While the campaign faces disruption in some areas, efforts will continue wherever conditions allow. The government remains committed to protecting children from polio despite current challenges.
The next phase of the campaign will be announced once conditions improve in the flood-affected districts.
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