Covid shots suspended for children as national MR campaign kicks off from Monday

Pakistan is set to launch the 'largest measles-rubella campaign' in the world to inoculate 32m children countrywide

ISLAMABAD:

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has announced suspending the Covid-19 vaccination for children between 12 to 15 years of age amid the national measles and rubella campaign launched across the country for 13 days.

The nerve centre of the country in its fight against the contagious disease, on its official Twitter handle, announced the decision on Sunday to halt the children’s vaccination.

“[The]National MR campaign will be conducted from November 15 to 27, 2021 during which children aged 9 months to 15 years will be inoculated. Covid vaccine administration for children between 12 to 15 years will, therefore, remain suspended from November 15 to 27," it wrote.

National MR campaign will be conducted from 15-27 November 2021 during which children aged 9 Months to 15 years will be inoculated. COVID vaccine administration for children between 12-15 years will, therefore, remain suspended from 15-27 November 2021.

— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) November 14, 2021

As part of efforts to ensure good health among children, Pakistan is set to launch the "largest measles-rubella campaign" in the world to vaccinate 32 million children in the country.

Read more: Anti-measles drive from 15th

According to the Measles & Rubella Initiative (M&RI), measles is one of the most contagious diseases ever known and is the important cause of death and disability among young children worldwide. Rubella can cause severe birth defects, the initiative, which is a global partnership, said.

“Pakistan is set to launch the largest Measles-Rubella Campaign in the world to vaccinate 32 million children in the country,” the ministry of health had also said last month.

Health expert Dr Farah said rubella is an untreatable disease, and a child born having the disease could develop a hole in the heart, a small-sized head, or complete blindness.