KARACHI, March 5: Local doctors have recommended the need to reformat the existing immunization cards, issued to newborns and to children up to five years of age, under the Expanded Programme of Immunization.

It was regretted that under the government initiated vaccination programme for children, certain pertinent and common diseases, avoidable through timely immunization, have been excluded from the list.

Paediatricians talking to APP on Tuesday particularly referred to Haemophiliac Influenza - Type B (HIB) vaccine, that needed to combat quite frequently as it is a noticed ailment among small children, mainly aged between two months to four years.

They also referred to the non-availability of any provision for vaccinating the local children against Mumps, Rubella, Chickenpox, Pneumonia and repeated dosage of Measles at the age of 15 months.

According to them, even if it may not be possible for the concerned government departments to arrange regular and across-the-board coverage of all children against these diseases, an attempt must at least be made to sensitize the parents that protection from these diseases is also equally important for improving the quality of life of their children.

Inclusion of Rubella, Mumps, Haemophiliac Influenza, Chickenpox, Pneumonia in the list of the avoidable ailments through timely vaccination in the immunization cards, made available to infants visiting government hospitals, could help many unaware or ill-informed parents to protect their children against any possible scourge.—APP