August 21, 2007	Tuesday	Sha’aban 7, 1428

KHAR, Aug 20: Health authorities have launched a 15-day anti-measles campaign in Bajaur agency. The federal government, in collaboration with the WHO and Unicef, initiated the second phase of the campaign on Monday that would continue till Sept 5 in the NWFP and Fata.

Health officer Cheragh Din told reporters that 184 teams, including 785 vaccinators and 49 supervisors had been constituted to immunise 1,28,000 children under 13 years of age.

He said that previously it was thought that measles was infecting only the neonatal or babies till 9 months of age in the agency, but now latest cases showed that 10-12 year old children were also getting infected.

He said the children would be administered anti-measles vaccines at mosques and hujras in the presence of local elders. He urged people to get their children of ages up till 13 years vaccinated even if they had previously taken the dose.

The first phase of the drive had been completed in Mardan district in March. During the second phase, children will be immunised against the disease in 12 districts of the NWFP and three tribal agencies, including Bajaur.

The rest of the districts and tribal units in the province would be covered in the third phase of the campaign to be launched in November.