A vaccination campaign to protect children from measles and rubella will commence on November 17 and continue until November 29 under the supervision of District Health Department Abbottabad.  This was disclosed by District Health Officer Dr. Shehzad Iqbal while adressing a press conference at the Abbottabad Press Club.  The DHO further said that during the campaign, 177,262 children aged between six months and five years will receive the MR (Measles and Rubella) vaccine, while 178,047 children from birth to five years will also be administered polio drops across 53 union councils of the district. 

He said that 202 vaccination teams comprising five members each have been formed, including 153 outreach, 45 fixed, and 4 mobile teams to ensure full coverage across the district. He added that the campaign will run for 12 days, with daily performance reports submitted to the Deputy Commissioner for monitoring.  Dr. Shehzad Iqbal urged parents to get their children vaccinated without hesitation or fear, emphasizing that measles and rubella are highly contagious diseases that can spread rapidly from one child to another. 

He also appealed to school administrators to facilitate vaccination activities, noting that prevention is the best protection and that the MR vaccine is safe, effective, and vital for children’s health.  Dr. Asad Ali, Technical Officer at GAVI Foundation, stated that the number of measles and rubella cases is increasing in more than 400 union councils across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He explained that this vaccine is being used globally and is the only effective way to curb the spread of these infectious diseases, which are more dangerous than COVID-19, as one infected child can transmit the virus to up to 15 others. 

Additional Deputy Commissioner Ali Gohar highlighted the important role of the media in creating awareness and ensuring the campaign’s success. He said Abbottabad’s citizens are generally educated and cooperative, but those harboring doubts about vaccination must overcome their misconceptions to help protect future generations. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)