Inactivated Polio Vaccine Drive Starts Off in Karachi

KARACHI- The Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) for Polio in Sindh has launched an Inactivated Polio Vaccine campaign in 88 Union Councils of Karachi.

Approximately 800,000 children, aged 04 to 59 months will require injections to protect them against the deadly polio virus; however 969,000 children will also be given Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) during the drive.

More than 1200 fixed and outreach sites are being established in 88 UCs of the city, where parents will bring their children to get vaccinated against polio.

Coordinator, Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) for Polio, Sindh, Mr. Fayaz Jatoi stated that, IPV is not a replacement for OPV, but instead an added protection for children who might fall prey to this virus. He also informed that IPV is now a part of the routine immunization schedule.

IPV is said to be an extremely safe and effective vaccine, which will protect children against all three forms of poliovirus, and when used in combination with OPV, it would quickly boost the level of immunity against this debilitating virus.

Government machinery including, Deputy Commissioners, District Health Officers and Town Health Officers will be implementing this campaign on ground, while there will be a high level of monitoring from EOC and its partners.