Catch-up drive to immunise children begins in Punjab

LAHORE:The Punjab government has launched the largest routine immunisation catch-up activity in all the 3,572 union councils of the province from April 1 and it will continue till April 30, 2024, to vaccinate each and every child in the province.

The activity will be carried out in all the districts of the province with the technical and financial support of WHO. ‘This is a specially-designed catch-up activity which aims at reaching out to all due, defaulter and zero dose children. The idea is to intensify routine immunisation and ensure each and every child is protected against vaccine preventable diseases,’ said Khawaja Imran Nazir, Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department here Monday.

The minister appealed to the parents to ensure vaccination of their children especially as the high season for measles approaches. ‘Though Punjab is reporting fewer cases than the rest of the country, yet we must stay alert and ensure complete vaccination of children.

We cannot afford any laxity especially in mega urban cities and districts bordering with other provinces,’ he said. The minister said that in the first round of IOA in April this year, 4,585 vaccinators with as many social mobilisers are engaged.

There are 338 supervisors as well performing duties which include DHO-PS, EPI Focal Persons, DSVs and ASVs. Director Health Services (EPI) Dr Mukhtar Ahmed said besides ensuring vaccination, parents must keep a close watch on children if they show symptoms like fever or rash and take them immediately to the nearest health facility or visit a physician. He also underscored the importance of cleanliness and hygiene besides nutrition of the children.

He said this round envisages vaccination children below two years who missed their doses in 2023 and 24. The second round in July, he added, would cover children below five years of age targeting children who might have missed their doses during Corona Pandemic.

Dr Mukhtar Ahmed elaborated that the special outreach activity follows an integrated approach where vaccinator visits villages and communities under a defined tour plan for Immunisation Service Delivery, social mobilisers help in linking services with the community and EPI supervisors and managers conduct supportive supervision.

The LHVs provide vaccination services at fixed EPI centres and LHWs support them in community mobilisation and provision of MCH services. Polio staff strengthens monitoring to identify gaps and frontline healthcare workers ensure preventive outreach team reach villages and communities.

Head of Office, WHO Sub Office Punjab Dr Jamshaid Ahmed said, ‘The WHO will continue to support the EPI Programme. The idea is to ensure no child misses his/her essential vaccination.’