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Over 33 million children vaccinated in 124 districts in anti-polio campaign

Pays
Pakistan
Sources
Govt. Pakistan
Date de publication
Origine
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ISLAMABAD,21 June 2021: More than 33 million children under five years received their vaccination during the sub-national anti-polio campaign. The campaign was conducted from 7 to 11 June in 124 districts of the country including all four provinces, Azad Jammu Kashmir and the federal capital Islamabad.

The sub-national campaign was inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan reaffirming the Government’s commitment to eradication.

Congratulating the provincial government and partners for the successful polio campaign, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr. Faisal Sultan said, “This is the most critical time for the programme, reaching and sustaining zero polio cases and transmission requires even greater efforts. We must work in close integration with broader routine immunization services to tackle all vaccine-preventable diseases.”

More than 225,000 "Sehat Tahafuz" frontline workers visited families and caregivers during the campaign ensured vaccination of children from the crippling poliovirus. As a result, the programme successfully achieved its target to build children's immunity amid the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the frontline workers strictly followed the standard COVID-19 operating procedures during the campaign.

"With the great support of parents and communities, the programme achieved the campaign target; however, now is not the time for complacency. The current gains of the programme are fragile and can easily be reversed, especially during the upcoming season when the virus is especially active," said Dr. Shahzad Baig, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre, Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI). He urged everyone to continue their hard work and concerted efforts to overcome the hurdles in the last mile to eradication.

The "Sehat Tahhafuz" Helpline 1166 and 24/7 WhatsApp Helpline 0346-777-65-46 helped parents during the campaign, and all reported missed children received the vaccination.

Pakistan is one of the two polio-endemic countries in the world along with its neighbor Afghanistan.

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Note for the Editor:

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by poliovirus mainly affecting children under the age of five years. It invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis or even death. While there is no cure for polio, vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from this crippling disease. Each time a child under the age of five is vaccinated, their protection against the virus is increased. Repeated immunisations have protected millions of children from polio, allowing almost all countries in the world to become polio-free.

Pakistan is one of the two polio-endemic countries in the world along with its neighbour Afghanistan.

For more information, visit our website - https://www.endpolio.com.pk

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