Islamabad, Pakistan (CU)_ According to the representative of the Ministry of Health, more than 339,521 skilled and devoted polio workers are involved in the immunization campaign to vaccinate children right at their homes. He stated that the former campaigns were restricted to certain regions, but this one will be implemented nationwide. The government of Pakistan started the week-long national polio vaccination drive in order to immunize more than 43 million children under the age of five against polio.
According to Qadir Patel’s, Minister for Health, message to the nation, “Government of Pakistan remains committed to eradicating polio and focusing on well-coordinated efforts at both the federal and provincial level to realize the dream of making Pakistan a polio-free country.”
The minister highlighted the significant role played by the parents and caregivers in the continued success of immunization initiatives and appreciated them for their contribution. He said, “It’s every Pakistani’s national duty to ensure that their own children, as well as children around them, are administered the polio vaccine in each campaign.”
According to the minister, the dangerous poliovirus persists in the environment in some locations, providing a risk for a case comeback. He said, “We are calling all parents and caregivers to cooperate with vaccinators as no child is safe until all children are vaccinated.” According to him, the polio vaccination is safe and helps youngsters develop immunity against the poliovirus. He added, “The polio vaccination campaigns are imperative for building immunity among children and preventing possible death or lifelong paralysis”.
The minister concluded saying, “Unvaccinated children are at risk and we need to ensure all eligible children are vaccinated during each campaign to build their immunity against diseases. It is time to be more vigilant to reach the target of polio-free Pakistan”.