Anti-polio campaign starts today

All preparations have been made for the anti-polio campaign starting today (Monday (today). Karachi Commissioner Muhammad Salim Rajput has directed polio workers to achieve a 100 per cent target in vaccinating children under five years of age with polio drops for at least the next five years. He stressed that unless every child receives these drops, the threat of the polio virus spread will persist.

Efforts have also been made to persuade parents who refuse vaccination for their children. Comprehensive plans are being made, and lists of children and their parents, along with reports on barriers to vaccination, have been prepared.

Those refusing vaccination have been identified, and field workers are actively involved to ensure no child is deprived of polio drops, said the commissioner. Meetings have been held with community mobilisers from over 450 areas in District East and District Central. They were reminded that achieving a 100 per cent target for vaccinating children against polio over the next five years across the country is crucial. The officials emphasised the necessity of parental cooperation to ensure no child misses out on polio drops.

In this regard, meetings were conducted in the offices of deputy commissioners in all districts along with representatives from the respective union committees and their medical officers.

Those who attended the meeting included Dr Shaukat Ali from Unicef, Asif Zardari from the Global Health Agency, Coordinator of Karachi Polio Task Force Saad Yakub Khoso, Unicef representative Jahandad Mahsud and Assistant Commissioner Headquarters Rabia Saeed.

The commissioner stressed the vital role of community mobilisers in achieving the 100 per cent vaccination target and called for teamwork, especially in areas facing challenges. Community mobilisers highlighted their efforts through role plays to encourage cooperation and dispel negative perceptions about polio vaccine. Religious scholars also conveyed messages about the importance of polio vaccination.