SHANGLA/KOHAT: About 175,000 children under five years of age were administered polio vaccine during a five-day case response special anti-polio drive concluded in Shangla district on Friday.

Dr Wajid Ali, EPI coordinator, told reporters that the emergency anti-polio campaign concluded successfully by achieving the target.

“This time the concept of drive and working plan was different as both the internal and external monitors oversaw the drive. Also, the pre-campaign activities helped us make the drive a success,” he said.

Mr Ali said despite hot weather the Emergency Operation Centre monitors appreciated the arrangements for vaccine cold chain maintenance in far-flung areas.

“There were about 304 refusal cases in the district, of which 290 have been covered with the help of local notables, religious leaders and social activists, and efforts are being made to vaccinate the rest of children in the upcoming campaigns,” He said.

He said as Shangla district comprised mountainous areas it needed special support from national and provincial EOCs in the national cause.

The EPI coordinator said 1,556 children were missed in the drive, and to vaccinate these children the campaign was extended for a day in 14 union councils.

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner, Hangu, Tayyab Abdullah has emphasised the need for combating the negative propaganda against polio vaccination through active involvement of government departments and people from all walks of life. He was speaking at a seminar on polio eradication held the tehsil headquarters hospital on Friday.

The deputy commissioner said for protecting the future generation from lifetime disability and keeping them healthy the government departments should play a responsible role and that ulema, media and people should struggle for making the polio vaccination campaigns successful.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2019