Sukkur Division authorities have issued a stern warning that no negligence will be tolerated during a major immunization campaign starting from November 17, aimed at vaccinating over 880,000 children against measles and rubella. Modeled on polio eradication efforts, officials have been directed to immediately report parents who refuse vaccination to their respective assistant commissioners.
In a high-level meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Abid Saleem Qureshi on Monday, it was revealed that the vaccination campaign will run from November 17 to November 29 in the division’s three districts: Sukkur, Khairpur Mirs, and Ghotki.
According to information provided during the planning meeting, the campaign targets a total of 880,493 children aged 6 months to 5 years. This includes 238,955 children in Sukkur district, 381,964 in Khairpur district, and 259,554 in Ghotki district.
Addressing the participants, Commissioner Qureshi emphasized the critical need to make the campaign a success to protect children from life-threatening diseases, stating that all available resources would be utilized. He highlighted the strategy of enlisting the full support of elected representatives, community members, mosque imams, and local dignitaries to ensure wide participation.
The commissioner directed all officers to play their part and ordered that deputy and assistant commissioners personally inspect the campaign’s training sessions to ensure preparedness.
During the briefing, Deputy Director EPI Dr. Arsalan stated that the measles and rubella vaccine will be administered by mobile teams and will also be available at nearby health centers and temporary community sites. He added that the campaign will cover all public and private schools, and staff including vaccinators, nurses, lady health workers, and technicians have been deployed for this effort.
It was also decided that the campaign would serve a dual purpose, as children missed during previous polio drives will also be covered simultaneously during this vaccination campaign.
Commissioner Qureshi concluded by making a direct appeal to parents to play their part in the campaign’s success and to ensure their children are vaccinated to protect them from preventable diseases. The meeting was attended by the deputy commissioners of Sukkur, Ghotki, and Khairpur Mirs, along with several administrative and health department officials.