Integrated immunisation drive kicks off
PHOTO: FILE
A month-long immunisation drive kicked off in the Rawalpindi district to inoculate children under two years of age against 12 different diseases.
According to official sources, the drive that began on April 1 will conclude on April 30.
They said children who were unavailable during the last anti-polio campaign will also be administered polio vaccines.
Moreover, expecting mothers will also be vaccinated against various diseases.
Sources said altogether, around 188 teams have been formed for the same number of union councils across the district to protect children from diseases including tuberculosis, diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, cholera, malaria, and TB.
A team will consist of a vaccinator and a social mobiliser who will go door-to-door to execute the plan.
World Health Organisation and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund have extended support to the district health authority to carry out the Integrated Outreach Activity at the town and district levels.
According to vaccination supervisor Chaudhry Muhammad Hussain, the duration of the drive has been stretched to a month keeping the importance of the Integrated Outreach Activity in mind.
During this campaign, children who have not been given vaccines as per the schedule will also be immunised by checking their cards.
Meanwhile, health experts have said that due to the lack of timely immunisation of children under the age of two years, a large number of young children are landing in various hospitals with diseases that can easily be defeated through vaccines. They also said expecting mothers are giving birth to emaciated and sick children due to the lack of proper vaccinations and nutritious food.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2023.