IPV formally introduced in FATA

Health directorate hopes inactivated polio vaccine will help eradicate disease

PESHAWAR: To strengthen routine immunisation, the FATA Health Directorate, in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and GAVI, has introduced the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). IPV, which is an injectable vaccine, will be part of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). The vaccine will be given to children in the tribal areas and Frontier Regions, stated a handout issued on Thursday.

An inauguration ceremony was held on Thursday at the FATA Emergency Operations Centre. Secretary for Social Sectors Waqarul Hassan was chief guest on the occasion and administered IPV to a child. FATA Administration, Infrastructure and Coordination Secretary Zaheerul Islam, director for health services (DHS), technical partners and donor organisation officials attended the ceremony.

Waqar said reforms in Fata’s health services topped Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan’s agenda of multi-sector reforms. He added strengthening routine immunisation would prevent a number of diseases among children.

He said the introduction of IPV was part of the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013–2018, a comprehensive long-term strategy developed by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. The aim is to rid the world of the crippling disease by 2018.

Need for overhaul

Earlier, UNICEF health and nutrition specialist Dr Abdul Jamil reiterated his organisation’s resolve to support quick and efficient introduction of the IPV.

He said resources were available in the form of field units and staff, but there was a need to focus on overhauling the EPI.

WHO K-P Polio Eradication Officer Dr Irfan Ellahi also pledged his support to the immunisation programme.

Studies have shown the inactivated polio vaccine significantly boosts the immunity of children. An IPV dose will be given as a single shot, along with pentavalent and oral polio vaccines, to children at the age of 14 weeks. IPV is said to protect children against all three strains of poliovirus, and when used together with OPV, it boosts individual and community immunity.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd,  2016.