ISLAMABAD: First national immunisation campaign of year began across country yesterday to vaccinate children under five years of age against crippling disease of polio. According to official sources, over 100,000 trained and dedicated ‘Sehat muhafiz’ are taking part in vaccination drive to inoculate targeted children at their doorstep. Minister for National Health Services Abdul Qadir Patel said Pakistan has made great strides in fight against polio, reducing virus circulation to only one small part of country in Southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said country is quite close to elimination of polio virus.

Coordinator of National Emergency Operation Centre Dr. Shahzad Baig said high-risk districts will be top priority during anti-polio campaign. In Punjab, five-day anti-polio campaign began in all districts like other parts of country. Health authorities have set target of vaccinating more than 22 million children up to age of five years. Total of 84,500 mobile teams, comprising of 200,000 polio workers are in field. Drive will continue till January 20.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 17 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.