KARACHI, Sept 3: The three-day national immunization campaign against polio commenced in the metropolis here on Tuesday with teams of vaccinators visiting pre-primary schools and houses to cater children below five years of age.

Provincial coordinator of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI-Sindh) had dispatched a special request some time back to administrators of schools both private and public, to seek prior permission from parents for administration of the oral polio vaccine to their children during the exercise. The response of school administrators has been quite encouraging on the whole.

Meanwhile, street kids and child beggars are also being covered this time. For this very purpose and also to make local parents and guardians realise the significance of the exercise, city and town councillors are also being involved.

18.4 million children have been targeted to be covered during the three-day activity across the province. 18000 mobiles have been ranged in addition to 2000 fixed centres.— APP