MUZAFFARGARH, Feb 7: Rural and basic health centres lacked necessary equipment to cover 100 per cent vaccination for seven vaccine-preventable diseases, speakers told a seminar held by the Health Department and donor The Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), which was started in 1976 and became a regular department in 1996, have yet to deliver the desired results because of law and order, shortage of staff and lack of resources to meet the target.

Unicef’s representative doctors Nazakat and Shahid Riaz told participants that 13 union councils (UCs) in the district lacked fridges necessary to keep vaccination fresh. In 30 UCS, fridges were found out of order and while 83 UCs could not be fully vaccinated due to a shortage of motorcycles and other vehicles.

They said a majority of areas in 10 UCs along the riverside also remained without proper vaccinations due to the law and order situation there.

They said vaccinators did not have vehicles to reach the inaccessible areas.

District Health Officer Dr Ashiq Hussain said that awareness should be raised among the public about the importance of vaccination.

He said that clerics, public representatives and the media should raise awareness among the public about vaccination.