QUETTA: Following the re-emergence of two polio cases in Balochistan after a three-year hiatus, health authorities have raised concerns, urging the public to actively participate in the anti-polio vaccination campaign set to kick off Monday (today) across 11 districts of Balochistan.
Despite notable progress in polio eradication efforts, the recent resurgence of cases underscores the persistent threat posed by this debilitating disease. Collaboratively, the Emergency Operations Center Balochistan, in conjunction with health partners, is leading a comprehensive vaccination drive aimed at administering two doses of the polio vaccine to every child under the age of five.
Targeting areas including Chaman, Dera Bugti, Hub, Lasbela, Nasirabad, Sibi, Jaffarabad, Kech, Khuzdar, Usta Muhammad, and Sobhatpur, the campaign aims to vaccinate approximately 889,656 children through the deployment of 3,378 teams, including 2,641 mobile units, 306 fixed-site teams, and 228 transit points.
Syed Zahid Shah, Provincial Coordinator of the Emergency Operations Center Balochistan, emphasized, “The recent polio cases in Balochistan highlight that our efforts remain incomplete. We urge all parents and caregivers to ensure their children receive vaccinations during this campaign to safeguard their well-being and halt the spread of the poliovirus.” Recognized as a crucial tool in the global fight against polio, the polio vaccine is both safe and effective, playing a pivotal role in the ongoing mission to eradicate polio worldwide.
