DI Khan: A four-day special anti-measles campaign for the internally displaced persons will begin in the district today (Thursday).

Dr Qamar Iqbal of the district health department told reporters on Wednesday that around 40,465 displaced children from South and North Waziristan agencies would be vaccinated against measles throughout the district from January 29 to February 1.

He said the children were aged between six months and 10 years.

The health official said the district had been divided in 39 union councils to be visited by 122 vaccination teams for the campaign and that the teams would consist of four members each.

He said 187 technicians and 244 social mobilisers would take part in the campaign to be launched in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and the Unicef to protect displaced children against measles.

Dr Qamar said a survey was conducted in the district as part of efforts to reach out to the maximum number of children.

He said the campaign was widely publicised to create public awareness of vaccination.

The health official said it was not a job of a single individual but every member of society should shoulder responsibility to make the campaign successful by ensuring that not a single targeted child misses vaccination.

He said like anti-polio drives, the anti-measles campaign would also be successful.

Dr Qamar said the department had asked the relevant officials to facilitate parents in getting their children vaccinated. He said arrangements had been made at local hospitals and health units for vaccination.

The health official said those showing negligence during the campaign would be dealt with strictly.

Published in Dawn January 29th, 2015

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