590,919 children immunised in six-day drive in FATA, FRs

Nearly 189,094 toddlers administered inactivated polio vaccines (IPV)

PESHAWAR: At least 590,919 children below the age of five have been immunised against poliovirus during a six-day campaign held in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and Frontier Regions (FR).

Insiders familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune on Friday, the immunisation drives have been carried out in Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Kurram and Khyber agencies and FR Kohat.

In addition, 189,094 children – who were nearly 23 months old – were administered inactivated polio vaccines (IPV) for which 607 teams – including 184 fixed, 393 outreach and 30 mobile teams – have been constituted.

Health officials informed The Express Tribune people were not only welcoming the polio teams, but also asking other people to administer polio drops to their children.

Nevertheless, the officials said polio workers are performing their duties without fear as the security situation has improved in the region.

They added a similar campaign was carried out in South Waziristan Agency, FR Bannu, FR Peshawar, Bara tehsil and Jamrud.

At least, 16 polio cases have been recorded in Fata and FRs. Of these, one was recorded in North Waziristan, two in South Waziristan, two in FR Peshawar and 11 in Khyber Agency.

Concluded peacefully

A day earlier, a polio drive concluded peacefully in Swabi on Thursday. Check posts were placed at several points and security personnel were brought in from other districts to ensure safety. During the drive, a complete ban on motorbike riding was placed. A total of 0.26 million children were administered polio drops.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2016.