ISLAMABAD: As Eid festivities have begun across the country, the Pakistan Polio Programme has launched a special initiative to vaccinate children against the paralysing poliovirus over the Eidul Azha holidays and curb virus spread.

Under the “Eid Mubarak Vaccination Initiative”, polio teams have been deployed at 187 special stalls in key locations such as malls and zoos of more than 20 districts to vaccinate children. They will continue administering polio vaccine till June 20.

The aim of the initiative is to create awareness of the importance of the polio vaccine, engage parents directly in the fight against the terrible disease and foster community ownership and engagement. It also gives parents the opportunity to become polio eradicators themselves.

According to spokesperson of health ministry, parents can visit these stalls where trained polio workers will explain the importance of the vaccine and guide them on how to vaccinate their children to keep them protected from the paralysing disease.

“The Eid Mubarak Vaccination Initiative is a great opportunity to engage with communities and make them an active part of polio eradication efforts,” said Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication, Captain (Retd) Muhammad Anwarul Haq.

“Parents are our key allies in the fight against polio and by involving them in the vaccination process, we are not only creating awareness about the importance of polio vaccine but also creating vaccination advocates within families and communities,” he said.

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by poliovirus mainly affecting children under the age of five years. It invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis or even death. While there is no cure for polio, vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from this crippling disease. Each time a child under the age of five is vaccinated, their protection against the virus is increased. Repeated immunisations have protected millions of children from polio, allowing almost all countries in the world to become polio-free, except for the two endemic countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2024