Eight-day polio immunisation drive to kick off in Quetta, Pishin from Monday

Anti-polio campaign aims to vaccinate some 207,454 children

QUETTA: An eight-day long Injectable Polio Vaccination (IVP) campaign is set to begin in two high-risk polio districts in Balochistan to combat the crippling virus starting on Monday.

Through the immunisation drive, the provincial government aims to vaccinate 207,454 children across Quetta and Pishin.

Provincial coordinator for Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) Syed Faisal Ahmed told The Express Tribune that children below the age of two are at the highest risk of contracting polio and more than 85% of reported cases fall between this age range.



“This campaign is to strengthen immunity against the crippling virus,” he added.

On the occasion, Ahmad also urged parents to vaccinate their child from the nearest available centre to prevent lifetime paralysis. He said that IPV is meant to boost a child's immunity whereas oral polio virus vaccines (OPV) will ensure that children are safe from the dangerous disease.

Earlier last month, a three-day anti-polio campaign targeting more than 1.7 million children was held in Balochistan.

At least 6,067 mobile teams with 521 fixed and 413 transit points were established in districts across the province to administer polio immunisation drops to children below the age of five.