Special anti-polio drive to target 1m kids in Karachi

KARACHI: A meeting presided over by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi at the Emergency Operation Centre decided to launch a special anti-polio campaign in Karachi's high-risk areas starting August 15, targeting over one million children to administer polio drops and vaccine shots.
The meeting was attended by EOC Coordinator Arshad Sodhar, Health Department officials, and representatives from the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary International, Pakistan Rangers, and other relevant departments.
A comprehensive plan is being developed to ensure every child in the affected areas is covered. Special vaccination teams will go door-to-door to persuade parents to participate. Children between 4 months to 5 years of age will also receive the f-IPV vaccine during the campaign.
The meeting was informed that poliovirus has been detected in environmental samples in seven districts of Karachi.