SHANGLA/TIMERGARA: A 12-day-long extensive outreach campaign was launched in Shangla and Lower Dir districts on Monday to vaccinate children under two years of age against infectious diseases.

Lower Dir district health officer Dr Shaukat Ali launched the campaign in various union councils.

Talking to reporters, he said a total of 110 teams comprising 10 supervisors, lady health workers and EPI technicians would take part in the drive. He said community elders, ulema and teachers had been taken into confidence to make the drive a success.

The DHO said children would be vaccinated against infectious diseases like TB, polio, pneumonia, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenza, diphtheria, whooping cough, Rota and measles.

Dr Ali said vaccinators would be available to public close to their houses. He asked parents and community elders to extend their cooperation to health officials.

Meanwhile, Shangla health department said EPI technicians would arrange vaccination sessions in every street and neighborhood of the district with the help of lady health workers, according to a statement.

The campaign was a routine activity conducted under the micro plan of the EPI vaccinators. According to the statement, the campaign will cover children under two years of age, newborns, zero dose children, due and defaulter children and pregnant woman.

EPI district coordinator Dr Wajid Ali said close cooperation of LHWs and EPI vaccinators was key to the success of the immunisation drive.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2019