ISLAMABAD - The District Administration on Saturday inaugurated anti-measles and rubella prevention campaign to immunise around 700,000 children in the city.
The inauguration ceremony was held at Mass Vaccination Center and attended by DC Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat and District Health Officer Zaeem Zia. The national anti-measles and rubella prevention campaign will continue from November 15 to 27. The DHO said that during the campaign, children between the ages of nine months and 15 years will be vaccinated against measles and rubella. He said about 700,000 children in Islamabad will be vaccinated against measles and rubella at vaccination centers, schools and government health centers. He said during this time, children will also be vaccinated against polio.
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat said that in the national campaign to prevent measles and rubella, the target of 7.5 million children will be achieved. The Deputy Commissioner further said that under this campaign, all children from nine months to 15 years should be vaccinated to prevent diseases. The DC said measles and rubella are dangerous diseases and not a single person should trust the rumours.
Target is to immunise around 700,000 children in the city
He added the campaign is not limited to vaccinating school children but the aim of the campaign is to save humanity and the UDC office would extend full support if there were any problems with the campaign.
He thanked all the stakeholders who have launched this national campaign with limited resources. It was informed on the occasion that 450 teams have been formed in Islamabad during the campaign against measles and rubella and for the first time, a combination vaccine has been developed to prevent measles.
Children between the ages of nine months and 15 years who have already been vaccinated against measles will also need to be vaccinated.
DHO Dr. Zaeem Zia, Dr. Iqbal Afridi, and Dr. Farah said that it is gratifying that the health indicators in Islamabad are very encouraging, the teams will work hard to prevent measles and rubella campaign.
“If anyone has a problem, we should be contacted immediately. The most important thing about this campaign is that the message of the campaign should reach every person in the city,” he said. He said that children would be vaccinated in schools and government health centers including pre-established vaccination centers, during which children would also be vaccinated against polio.
