Key points
- Pakistan on Monday launched a fresh polio vaccination drive
- Nationwide campaign attempts to contain the crippling disease
- 63pc of the target has been achieved in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: Over 290,000 children were vaccinated on the 3rd day of the anti-polio drive in Pakistan’s capital.
Pakistan on Monday launched a fresh nationwide polio vaccination drive in an attempt to contain the crippling disease.
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal inaugurated the drive—the third one this year—at a ceremony in the capital Islamabad, the Health Ministry said.
Over 45 million children below five years of age were to be administered polio vaccination during the week-long campaign.
According to APP news agency, the Islamabad district administration held a review meeting on the third day of the polio vaccination campaign.
Security arrangements
Officials were briefed on the challenges faced by polio teams and the security arrangements in place.
The briefing revealed that health workers have so far managed to vaccinate 290,880 children out of the total target of 461,125.
This represents 63 per cent of the overall goal for the campaign.
The meeting also focused on the issue of families who had refused vaccination. Officials discussed the difficulties faced in addressing such cases and the steps being taken to counter resistance from some households.
Door-to-door campaign
Officials instructed that foolproof security must be ensured for all polio teams. They stressed the need to facilitate the workers so they can carry out the door-to-door campaign safely and without interruption.
Citizens were urged to support the vaccination teams.
“The success of this campaign guarantees a healthier future for our children,” Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon stated.
He added that without the active support of residents, the goal of eradicating polio cannot be achieved.
The review meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from the administration to reach every child during the remaining days of the campaign. Officials will continue to monitor daily progress and resolve any issues that arise in the field.
