KARACHI: The provincial government of Sindh on Tuesday said it would launch the “world’s biggest” anti-measles vaccination drive in the province during which 19 million children will be immunised against the deadly disease.
The development was announced by Sindh Project Director of Immunisation Irshad Memon while addressing a press conference along with Sindh Health Director-General Dr Jumman Khan, Emergency Operation Centre (EOC)’s Dr Ahmed Ali, and health experts.
On the occasion, Irshad Memon highlighted that 2,489 children in Sindh have been affected by measles this year, of which 38 have died. “117 cases of Rubella have been reported in Sindh this year therefore a campaign for immunisation against Rubella and measles is being launched in Karachi and the rest of the province starting November 15,” said Memon.
He said that it would be “the world’s biggest” anti-measles vaccination drive for which a target of inoculating 19 million children has been set. The drive will continue till November 27.
Memon said that over 15,200 teams have been set up to achieve the target while eight million children will also be given a dose of anti-polio drops during the drive.
He informed the media that a partnership has been formed with Sindh Education Department for vaccinating 60% of the target fixed, under which letters have been sent to the parents by the administration of various schools. He further stated that the MR vaccine will be included in the government’s immunisation programme January 2022 onwards.
