ISLAMABAD: 14, JANUARY, 2021: Major anti-polio drive which was launched across the country from Monday (January 11) continued on 4th day today (Thursday) to administer the vaccine to children below the age of five.

According to sources, over 40 million children below the age of five will be administered anti-polio drops in the campaign.

Teams will also be available at bus stops, railway stations, Afghan refugees camps and other public places. Tight security measures have been taken for security of polio teams.

Spokesperson for the Emergency Operation Centre for polio (EOCP) said, the vaccination staff is ensuring strict compliance with the WHO-recommended Covid-19 prevention protocols during the campaign. These safety measures include wearing of face masks and use of sanitisers during field visits, checking temperature of workers before their deployment and maintaining social distancing in interaction.

In Punjab, 48,000 polio teams have been constituted, which will ensure administering anti-polio vaccine to each and every child. According to a spokesman of the Punjab Health Department, more than 20 million children will be vaccinated throughout the province during the campaign.

On the other hand, in Sindh, nine million children under the age of five years will be administered polio drops.

"Parents must avail this opportunity for the sake of their children’s future and save them from disability," said Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, who formally inaugurated the drive. 

Under the drive, organised by the EOCP, children under five years of age will be administered anti-polio drops in 29 districts of Sindh from January 11 to 17.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over twenty-nine throusand teams have been formed which will visit door-to-door to ensure administering anti-polio vaccine to each and every child while more than seven million children up-to five years of age will be administered anti-polio drops during the campaign, concerned sources informed. (04)