On Monday, the health ministry declared its continued dedication to protecting children’s health, marking the start of the year’s second countrywide polio vaccination effort.
With over 4.58 million children targeted for vaccination between February 26 and March 9, the campaign aims to shield those under five from the poliovirus while providing additional vitamin A doses to strengthen immunity.
Iftikhar Ali Shalwani, the Federal Secretary of Health, highlighted the critical nature of polio, noting the permanent disabilities it can cause. He pointed out the challenges of vaccine hesitancy due to widespread myths, stressing the need for parental vigilance in child immunization.
“The Pakistani government is unwavering in its polio eradication mission, achieving notable progress,” Iftikhar Ali Shalwani remarked. “This mission requires a collective effort, not just from policymakers but parents as well.”
Shalwani appealed to parents to support visiting vaccination teams, underlining the importance of recognizing polio’s risks and vaccinating children accordingly.
This initiative follows January’s findings of poliovirus in 20 districts’ sewage, indicating the virus’s continued presence. Dr. Shahzad Baig, the National Emergency Operations Center Coordinator, is committed to ensuring vaccine and health service access for all children, especially those in previously overlooked areas.
“We’re focused on every child’s well-being, striving to eliminate polio,” Dr. Baig stated. “The recent environmental detections of poliovirus necessitate heightened vigilance to protect all children.”
As the vaccination drive began, Dr. Baig called on parents to prioritize their children’s health by embracing vaccination opportunities to fend off polio’s threat.
