The Sub-National Immunization Days (SNIDs) campaign has started on 2nd August, around 179,000 frontline polio workers will go house to house for vaccination.
According to Dr. Faisal Sultan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health, while inaugurating the SNIDs campaign on Thursday at the National Emergency Operation Centre, said, “Pakistan has made significant progress over the past months and with the declining polio cases it is important to continue with full force. We need to ensure all eligible children are vaccinated during each campaign to build up their immunity. I urge all parents to welcome polio teams and accept polio drops.”
Read more: Pakistan reports no new cases of polio in first six months of 2021
Director General Health Dr Rana Safdar, National Coordinator for Polio Programme Dr Shahzad Baig and others were present on the occasion.
Polio vaccination drive begins in South, East districts
As per the detail, Polio vaccination drive has began in 68 districts from Aug 2 during which more than 23.6 million children of all four provinces as well as Islamabad will be administered anti-polio drops. All frontline polio workers will observe the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Covid-19, to ensure children’s protection from the crippling poliovirus.
Meanwhile, Dr Baig said that the current gains of the programme were fragile and can easily be reversed, especially during high transmission season when the virus becomes active. “Immunisation is a right of every child, and it is the safest way to ensure good health of children. Parents and caregivers should play their role in ensuring vaccination during the campaign,” he said.
On July 29, there has only been one case of wild polio reported in 2021, compared with 66 at the same time in 2020. The number of positive environmental samples has decreased.
Toll-free Helpline 1166 and 24/7 WhatsApp Polio Helpline 0346-777-65-46 assist parents and caregivers by providing information about vaccines and campaign information.
