Sindh gears up for anti-polio drive

Over 10 million children under the age of five will receive polio drops and Vitamin A supplements, said Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah during a meeting on the anti-polio campaign next week.

The meeting reviewed the current status of the polio virus in the province, preparations for the National Immunization Days (NIDs), and the performance of vaccination teams. The CS Shah announced that NIDs will be held across Sindh from October 13 to 19, during which 10.6 million children under the age of five will receive polio drops and Vitamin A supplements. More than 80,000 polio workers will participate in the campaign.

He added that Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed all parliamentarians to play an active role during the campaign and help persuade reluctant parents to vaccinate their children. Parliamentarians, he said, should assist in raising public awareness and rebuilding trust among communities regarding polio vaccination.

Chief Secretary instructed all deputy commissioners to submit daily reports on vaccine refusals, while assistant commissioners will be responsible for monitoring the campaign at the union council level.