ISLAMABAD: An inter-ministerial meeting, jointly chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, has established a mechanism to ensure anti-polio vaccination of all age groups within the Afghan repatriation centers and international regular border posts.
This crucial meeting, convened in response to the Prime Minister’s directives to minimize the risk of poliovirus spread, was attended by high-ranking officials from various ministries, including the Ministry of Interior, NADRA, Border Health Services, Federal Directorate of Immunization, Polio Program, donor agencies, and implementing partner organizations.
The Polio Program presented vaccination data from voluntary Repatriation Centers, indicating that 39 vaccination teams and 14 supervisors have been deployed, vaccinating 24,335 children since the commencement of the repatriation process. Permanent transit points (PTPs) at international borders were also reported to vaccinate travelers across all age groups.
NADRA to Register Afghan Population to Support Anti-Polio Vaccination
The Ministry of Interior issued instructions to relevant authorities in all provinces and Gilgit Baltistan to comply with the Prime Minister’s directive and facilitate polio vaccination at border exit crossing points.
Leadership from both ministries agreed for the Polio Program to synchronize permanent polio transit points with all international border crossings, aiming to ensure comprehensive coverage. NADRA was assigned to register all Afghan populations of all ages at Voluntary Repatriation Centers and digitize the information to support polio vaccination efforts.
Border Health Services officials were tasked with supporting polio teams deployed at airports and land ports to ensure the vaccination of eligible populations. The meeting also emphasized the importance of addressing the risk of poliovirus circulation in inter-provincial movements, calling for the strengthening of polio teams at inter-provincial permanent transit points.
WHO was advised to share a list of countries requiring vaccination certification to ensure compliance with international guidelines for international health regulations.
