In a first, govt to give polio drops to children up to 10-year-old

Rawalpindi authorities say polio drive to start from February 18

ISLAMABAD: For the first time in the country's history the government will administer polio vaccination to children up to 10 years of age.

In the polio immunisation drive, which will kick off from February 18, district authorities of Rawalpindi will organise a special campaign in 16 union councils, including areas of Pir Dhuayi.

Authorities have been given the go-ahead for the campaign by the World Health Organisation (WHO) after which Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Joudat Ayaz will supervise and monitor the campaign against the crippling disease.

Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication Babar Bin Atta confirmed the decision to increase the age for up to 10 years of children the immunisation drops will be administered to.



"The commissioner directed authorities to hold a special polio campaign for 16 union councils and administer the vaccine to children up to 10 years of age," Atta told The Express Tribune.

He added that the campaign will have 100 polio teams.

Atta went on to say that additional stock of vaccine needed for the special campaign had arrived from the concerned UN department.

He said the campaign held in Islamabad in December and January were successful. "As witnessed from cuts in the amount of virus found in sewage water samples of the city."

After successful experiment in four union councils of the federal capital, authorities have now decided to hold a similar campaign in Rawalpindi.