SWABI, July 16: The number of people declining vaccination of their children against polio in Swabi has reduced to 650 from 2,700 over the last three months, according to local in charge of Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Dr Mohammad Riaz.

Dr Riaz attributed the ‘achievement’ to the complete support of the district administration and clerics.

He told reporters on Monday after the inauguration of the immunisation campaign that most immunisation refusal cases were reported in Gandalf, Salim Khan, Naranji Zaobai, Malikabad and Mangal Chai areas.

The EPI in charge said the people opposed to vaccination of their children changed their opinion after experts along with clerics and the relevant officials of the administration.

He said he was hopeful that the number of immunisation refusal cases would further decline.

District health officer Dr Gul Mohammad said the big achievement of his department and the district administration was that noted clerics in the district supported immunisation campaign.

He said polio vaccine was safe and didn’t harm the children’s health.

“There is nothing wrong with the anti-polio vaccine. It’s safe and okayed by leading clerics, especially Maulana Mohammad Tayyab,” said. The DHO said the ongoing anti-polio campaign in the district would be carried out by a total of 628 teams.— Correspondent