Immunisation: Polio drive extended to no-go areas

PESHAWAR: As many as 159,753 children were immunised against polio in Khyber Agency during the first two months of 2012, according to the data manager of the polio campaign, Dr Azam Khan. He said the campaign was extended to tehsils Landi Kotal, Jamrud and Bara after four years, which were previously off limits due to military operations. Khan said that during the upcoming campaign beginning March 12, as many as 60,000 children from these tehsils will be immunised against polio. Tribal elders said that they are cooperating with health teams to make the campaign successful. Assistant Political Agent Landi Kotal, Khalid Kundi, told APP that logistical support including security and financial assistance is being provided to health teams so that they can administer polio drops to every child. He said that the political administration will take strict action against those parents or elders who refuse to vaccinate their children against polio.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2012.