ISLAMABAD, Jul 20 (APP): The second Sub-National Immunization Days campaign of the year 2022 reached more than 12.3 million children under the age of five.
The campaign was launched in 68 districts in all four provinces of the country. Over 100,000 trained and dedicated polio workers engaged in the vaccination drive to inoculate the targeted children at their doorstep.
Dr. Shahzad Baig, Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre, Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI), expressed satisfaction over the successful conclusion of the immunization campaign.
He congratulated federal and provincial government leadership, frontline workers, parents, and caregivers, for playing an instrumental role in vaccinating eligible children during the campaign.
“The programme has completed the June campaign across the country with an overall coverage of 98% of the target. However, despite significant efforts of the involved authorities, families still feel reluctant amidst different perceptions getting their children inoculated.”
“We will continue using targeted and focused campaigns as the opportunity to stop the virus circulation once and for all,” Dr Baig said.
He said the Sehat Tahhafuz Helpline 1166 and 24/7 WhatsApp Helpline 0346-777-65-46 assisted parents and caregivers in reporting missed children. The repeated polio vaccination campaigns are imperative for building immunity among children and preventing possible death or lifelong paralysis, he added.
