KARACHI: The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Sindh will launch a measles vaccination campaign across Sindh province from October 15 that will continue till October 27 2018, wherein target of vaccinating 7.3 million children from 9 months to 5 years of age has been set.
The health ministry has urged parents in the province to vaccinate every child in their household and community against measles. The measles campaign in Sindh is part of the National Measles Vaccination Campaign and will be conducted in all 29 districts and 1123 union councils of Sindh.
“The measles campaign is coming at a time when it is needed, the measles epidemic has been claiming lives and the vaccination drive will help build immunity of children against this deadly disease. There have been 122 measles related deaths in Sindh since the beginning of the year and a total of 291 labs confirmed cases. These vaccinations will save lives,” said Dr Zahoor Baloch, Project Director EPI Sindh.
There will be 1523 fixed sites, 5633 teams at outreach sites, 87 mobile teams, 11760 social mobilizers, 1408 first level supervisors and 356 second level supervisors to ensure that the campaign is conducted smoothly. The measles vaccine will be available free of cost at public/private health facilities and outreach sites where parents will bring their children for vaccination.
Dr Zahoor Baloch appreciated the leadership of the Ministry of Health Sindh along with support from all stakeholders including, donors and international partners in organizing the measles campaign.
The doctors from public and private hospitals have also been engaged to assist the campaign in collaboration with the Pakistan Paediatrics’ Association who have been extremely supportive in vaccination efforts across the province and we appreciate the role they have played for the children of our country. There has been and will be strong collaboration with religious leaders, education departments, media and the civil society organizations to ensure that the maximum target for the campaign is achieved.
The measles campaign will provide an opportunity to EPI to administer the supplementary dose while creating awareness about the benefits of immunization among caregivers. Immunization is one of the most successful and cost-effective health interventions to save the lives of children.
Globally, immunisation has helped avert 2-3 million deaths among children from vaccine preventable diseases. Immunisation offers a vital platform to bring other lifesaving interventions to children. Low immunization coverage on the other hand has an adverse effect on the other health interventions for mothers and children.