34 million children to be immunized against measles
By Bushra Makhdoom

ISLAMABAD—Minister for Health Ejaz Rahim on Sunday said more than 34 million children of age nine months to 13 years will be immunized against measles during March to April. Addressing the launching ceremony of measles drive in federal capital and Punjab, the minister said measles is still endemic in Pakistan and is a major cause of childhood illness and death.
He added everyday 58 children die from measles in Pakistan and an estimated 21,000 children die every year from measles and its complications. He said the government has put routine immunization and measles mortality reduction high on the agenda and is committed to reverting this negative trend.
Ejaz Rahim said this is the final phase of the world’s largest ever measles campaigns to bring measles deaths to zero across the country.
He said the ministry in collaboration with the provincial and district governments of Punjab and Islamabad is launching the final and largest phase of a measles catch up campaign in all districts.
He said already, the campaign, which began in February last year has reached more than 31 million children between 9 months and under 13 years, representing more than 97 percent of the target population.
He appealed political leaders, community leaders, religious leaders, teachers, media persons and health workers at all levels to educate the people about the drive.
He said the federal, provincial and district governments are fully committed to reducing the burden of diseases like measles.
He said “We have the responsibility to protect our children from measles. Reaching every child 9 months to 13 years will be essential to ensuring measles deaths are reduced to zero. We cannot afford to leave one child un-immunized.”
He said the country’s largest ever public health campaign will bring together nearly 45,000 health workers, alongwith religious and community leaders, teachers, and other community members.
He said Pakistan’s immunization partnership is setting a standard and providing a model of working together which can be used for addressing other important health and social challenges.
Ejaz Rahim said the immunization activities will only take place at fixed points in communities because it requires technical and expert handling. The measles campaign will not be house-to-house immunization, he added.
He said parents should remember that the measles vaccine is the most effective way of protecting their children against measles, adding, the vaccine is safe, free of charge and available in health centers.
The measles virus is extremely contagious and it can travel from village to village and country, through un-immunized children to infect others.