August 29, 2008	Friday	Sha'aban 26, 1429

PESHAWAR, Aug 28: Thousands of children in the NWFP and Fata were not vaccinated against polio during a recent campaign because of continuing opposition by a large number of people to administration of polio drops.

According to health officials, vaccinators were unable to administer polio drops to around 39,498 children during the three-day campaign launched on Aug 19. However, most of the children were later covered during a monitoring campaign, but still 8,825 children were not immunised mainly in Mohmand Agency, Malakand and Lakki Marwat.

In the Mohmand tribal area, parents put up some demands in return for allowing vaccination, the officials said, adding that the demands ranged from release of prisoners, to supply of water and electricity and construction of roads.

“Most of the people opposing the polio drops have a misconception that it causes infertility and impotence.” Some people even in Peshawar did not allow their children to be vaccinated.