Islamabad: (Ayesha Naz) According to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), Pakistan will start a nationwide polio vaccination programme between February 2 and February 8 in an effort to save millions of children the lifelong disability.
The seven-day drive will involve over 400,000 polio workers moving door to door throughout the country administering oral polio drops to children who are below five years of age. Health officials indicated that the campaign will target more than 45 million children and this will make the next generation healthier.
The NEOC has reported that Pakistan has achieved a lot in combating polio in the last few years thanks to the constant campaigns of vaccination and the involvement of the community. But authorities have cautioned that poliovirus is still an enemy and one must be very alert to bring the disease to extinction.
The family members and the caregivers have been persuaded to open their doors to the vaccination teams and collaborate with frontline health workers. The NEOC also stressed the importance of repeat vaccination at each campaign since it is necessary to have several doses to develop immunity against the virus.
Health authorities confirmed that polio is a preventable illness and timely vaccination is the most effective mechanism of protecting children. The NEOC requested communities, religious leaders, and civil society to assist the campaign and contribute to the achievement of ensuring that no child goes without a vaccine.
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