ISLAMABAD: A third round of national immunization days (NIDs) is scheduled from July 16-18 across the country to vaccinate children against poliovirus.
According to an official of national polio eradication program, a total of 34 million children aged less than five years will be targeted with participation of 77628 house to house vaccination teams, 5702 transit vaccination teams on busy bus and railway stations, airports, bazaars etc. and 9702 fix vaccination posts.
A total of 16914 area In-charges and 3178 Union Council In-charges will supervise these vaccination teams. WHO and UNICEF district and Union Council level staff will assist monitoring the activities in close collaboration with local authorities
He said the concerned authorities of provinces have been asked to ensure 100 percent coverage during immunization drive. He added provinces have also been directed to reach every child to protect them from this crippling disease.
He said that the government and development partners are putting all efforts to make Pakistan a polio-free country and sought support of the general public and local communities.
He said that National Emergency Action Plan for polio eradication and its augmentation calls for ensuring that all children are immunized even in the high-risk and security compromised areas of the country.
The official said that under augmented plan, the government is getting support of parliamentarians, media persons and Ulema to address the issues like refusal of administering polio vaccine to children and low coverage of vaccination in some areas.
He said that the plan ensures achieving full oversight, ownership and accountability for polio programme performance at each administrative level besides ensuring adequate preparations for anti-polio campaigns.
He said that the government is committed to implement the emergency plan in true spirit especially at union council level of each district.
He said that collective efforts of the government, development partners, local communities and media can help alleviate the sufferings of all the children.