KARACHI, Jan 15: The Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI), Sindh, is planning to launch a Hepatitis-B vaccination campaign across the province from June.

Dr Shamsun Nisa Ansari, Director, EPI-Sindh, told APP on Tuesday that the scheme, partially initiated in districts Mirpurkhas and Karachi South in August, 2001, was now being expanded to the entire province through the support of Global Alliance for Vaccination Initiative (GAVI).

“Under an arrangement, Hepatitis-B vaccines and disposable syringes are being provided to us by the alliance,” she added.

The GAVI, an international NGO established by Bill Gates, aims at assisting the countries where routine immunization coverage is above 58 but below 80 per cent and hence they may be in a plausible position to ensure contain the prevalence of Hepatitis-B.

GAVI, besides providing vaccines and syringes, is committed to assist the concerned agencies in capacity-building, with special emphasis on training aspect, along with provision of logistics to ensure proper maintenance of cold-chain mechanism.

Under the GAVI support, aimed at strengthening the existing immunization programme in Pakistan, the country is being extended assistance worth Rs35 million, with a share of EPI- Sindh coming to the tune of Rs9.1 million.

It is expected that all assistance will be provided in kind, with relevant items procured through Unicef. The authorities consider it a blessing in disguise, as it will enable them to have quality products without getting indulged in an unnecessary hassle.

An estimated target population (aged six weeks) of nine lacs, three thousand, four hundred and five children are to be covered under the programme. —APP