Sindh to Launch World’s Largest Vaccination Drive Against Measles
by Hamna Bano
SHARES
This vaccination drive will start working actively against contagious diseases in the province from November 15th, 2021.
During the current year, as many as 38 children have died from measles in the province. This 12-day long vaccination drive will give mandatory shots of measles and rubella to a total of 19 million children from the age of 9 months to 15 years.
Both the viral diseases – measles and rubella are vaccine-preventable diseases
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In addition to that, two polio drops will also be given to 8 million children who are under five years of age in this campaign.
According to the research, Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. It has so far taken 38 lives in Sindh in the first nine months of the current year. While there were a total of 2489 cases reported in the province.
“Both the viral diseases - measles and rubella are vaccine-preventable diseases. But if vaccination is not provided against these diseases, these can lead to blindness, pneumonia, infections, and eventually death. A high risk of brain damage and permanent disabilities is associated with it too” Dr. Irshad Memon said and urged the media to endorse the drive in the province.
To make this campaign more prosperous EPI has occupied a huge workforce including more than 15000 skilled Immunization Staff which comprises vaccinators, lady health visitors, and medical technicians. 43624 Non-Skilled staff are also on board to assist during the campaign; with that around 3265 supervisors for monitoring.
There is a strong association being made with the educational departments, media and civil society organizations, and even political leaders in order to achieve the target of the campaign.
In collaboration with the Pakistan Pediatrics Association, doctors from public and private hospitals have also been engaged to assist with the campaign.
