Measles campaign: EPI provincial chief apprises information dept

Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Provincial Chief Janbaz Afridi on Friday said the provincial information and public relations department have a vital role in making the measles campaign a success.

Addressing participants of an orientation session arranged for the officers of the information department about the 12-day-long campaign, Afridi said the programme aims to vaccinate more than 9.6 million children of the province between the ages of 6-10. The campaign is expected to start across the province from May 19.

Afridi added this was a precautionary measure they are taking against the expected outbreak of measles. All stakeholders, including relevant government departments, divisional and district administrations, and local political leadership among others have been taken on board.

The participants were also given more details about the campaign strategy and other aspects including background, advocacy, communication, social mobilisation and monitoring. They were apprised of the plan at provincial, district and union council levels.

The provincial EPI chief urged participants to motivate and mobilise the public at large to get their kids vaccinated during the campaign.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2014.