PIMA for countrywide diphtheria vaccination drive

KARACHI: Voicing serious concerns over the resurgence of diphtheria in the country, the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) has called for an urgent and comprehensive vaccination campaign, stressing the need to ensure the availability of antitoxins across Pakistan.
PIMA Central President Prof. Dr. Atif Hafeez Siddiqui said diphtheria, once nearly eradicated due to effective immunisation, has returned with alarming intensity, casting doubt on the performance of health authorities. 
He attributed the resurgence largely to disruptions in the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in many children missing essential vaccinations.
Prof. Siddiqui warned that the actual number of child fatalities due to diphtheria is likely higher than official figures suggest, saying while the disease is treatable, prevention through complete vaccination is crucial, especially for children with weakened immune systems.
PIMA called for a countrywide effort to ensure full immunisation coverage and urged authorities to address any gaps in the vaccination programme to make the campaign fully effective.