KARACHI: A four-day anti-polio campaign was formally begun on Monday in which 6.1 million children aged five or less will be vaccinated in 23 districts across Sindh.

A similar campaign was launched in Karachi on Saturday that will also continue till Sept 21 in which 2.3m children will be vaccinated.

Officials in the Sindh health ministry said the campaign began smoothly across the province on Monday. However, there were reports about delayed launch of the campaign because of reasons like official hiccups and arrival of security.

The province-wide campaign has been launched soon after the first polio case of the year was reported in Sindh. It was the first in Karachi after the metropolis remained free of the disease for 20 months.

The officials said the case reported after almost two years could undo all the hard work in Karachi, and the relevant officers had been ordered to perform as per expectations.

The emergency operation centre (EOC) for polio in Sindh has proposed for legislation against refusal to vaccinate children and greater accountability of government officers.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has recently said strict mechanisms of accountability will be followed against low performing officers.

Mayor Wasim Akhtar has proposed for an awareness drive to address refusals in the city.

Besides, directives have been issued to cancel private schools’ registration if they refuse to vaccinate children on their premises by the Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2017