Polio campaign to begin in Karachi

A small-scale polio vaccination campaign will kick off in the metropolis from Monday (today), in Baldia, Orangi Town, North Nazimabad, Liaquatabad and SITE area, where approximately 260,000 children aged under five will be administered the oral polio vaccine.

Mass polio campaigns had come to a halt when the coronavirus pandemic reared its head in the country in March, leaving an immunity gap that needed to be filled. However, according to the Pakistan Paediatric Association (PPA) Sindh, such campaigns were even more important in the current circumstances. "It is necessary to vaccinate every child to fill the immunity gap among them," said a statement released by the medical body.

It assured parents that the government had taken all necessary measures in line with the World Health Organisation's protocols for the safety of their children, adding that they should not fear contracting the virus during the immunisation drive.

"Sanitisers, masks and gloves have been provided to all the polio workers and they will work according to the set standard operating procedures. [For example] they will not directly handle any child or interact closely with the parents, while spending minimal time at their doorsteps," added the statement.

Maintained that the benefits of the vaccination were far greater than any risks involved in it, PPA officials requested parents to cooperate with the polio teams and have their children under the age of five vaccinated against the crippling disease every time the vaccine was offered.

Moreover, the PPA stated that the door-to-door campaign would also be utilised to raise awareness about how to stay safe against Covid-19 as well as about other vaccinations and antenatal care services.

The fresh campaign will be the first polio vaccination drive since the pandemic hit Pakistan, while wider-scale campaigns will be conducted on a monthly basis in the province until the end of the year.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 20^th, 2020.