Islamabad, Pakistan: A recent seminar revealed that a significant portion of children in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) miss out on crucial vaccinations. Over 60% of children in tribal areas and 39% across other districts lack complete immunization, raising concerns about child health and disease prevention.
This alarming statistic emerged during a seminar organized by the K-P Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Department in collaboration with UNICEF and the Pakistan Pediatric Association (PPA-K-P) to mark World Immunization Week 2023.
Urging Parental Cooperation for Improved Vaccination Rates
K-P Director General Health Service, Dr. Shaukat Ali, addressed the event as the chief guest. He strongly encouraged parents to cooperate with health officials and ensure their children receive complete vaccinations for various preventable diseases. He emphasized the critical role of immunization in safeguarding children’s health and saving lives.
Targeting Polio Elimination and Routine Immunization:
Dr. Ali highlighted the health department’s unwavering commitment to eradicating polio from K-P, including the merged districts. He stressed the importance of routine immunization for children against 12 diseases and urged parents to facilitate EPI teams in reaching all children.
Raising Awareness and Addressing Challenges
The seminar served as a platform to raise awareness among the K-P population about the importance of vaccination and address the factors contributing to low immunization rates in certain areas. Collaborative efforts involving healthcare professionals, community leaders, and parents are crucial to ensure all children in K-P have access to this life-saving intervention.