Anti-measles campaign set to begin tomorrow

7.1m children to receive vaccinations in 29 districts across the province

KARACHI: The inaugural ceremony to launch a 13-day anti-measles campaign was held at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) dispensary in Gizri on Saturday. The campaign will start on October 15 and continue till October 27.

The measles campaign in Sindh is part of the National Measles Vaccination Campaign. It will be conducted in 29 districts and 1,123 union councils of Sindh and target 7.1 million children from nine months up to five years of age.



"The measles campaign is coming at a time when it is needed. The measles epidemic has been claiming lives and the vaccination drive will help build immunity in children against this deadly disease. It will save lives," said Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho while inaugurating the ceremony. The minister was informed that there have been 122 measles-related deaths in the province since the beginning of the year and a total of 291 cases have emerged.

The measles vaccine will be available free-of-charge at public and private health facilities and outreach sites where parents can get their children vaccinated, according to the campaign details. It was also informed that there will be 1,523 fixed sites, 5,633 teams at outreach sites, 87 mobile teams, 11,760 social mobilisers, 1,408 first level supervisors and 356 second level supervisors to ensure that the campaign is conducted smoothly.



Dr Pechuho said, "Despite several challenges, vaccines are successful in saving lives. The measles vaccine is safe and effective, and has been approved and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The same vaccine is being used worldwide since the last 60 years. Children will be at great risk without the anti-measles vaccination. This is why parents are encouraged to get their children vaccinated," she urged.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14^th, 2018.