Sindh readies MR outreach push for 8.2m children from Nov 17

Health minister urges tighter district monitoring to strengthen measles protection

IV Report

KARACHI: In the wake of low immunity against measles in deserving children, another measles-rubella (MR) campaign is set to be launched from November 17 to 29 in all provinces, including Sindh, to reach about 35.4 million children aged 6 months to 9 years under the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), with support from international health and donor agencies.

WHO recommends a coverage rate of 95% for the second dose of the measles vaccine to achieve herd immunity and eliminate the viral infection, which can lead to serious health complications and fatalities. A relevant expert said the country’s low measles coverage remains a major reason for frequent outbreaks.

According to an announcement by Sindh EPI, a provincial launch ceremony, organised in collaboration with UNICEF, will be held on November 17 at 9 am at Ida Rieu Schools & Colleges for the Blind & Deaf, Karachi, with Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho as the chief guest.

Earlier, the health minister chaired a meeting of the Provincial Steering Committee to review final preparations for the upcoming MR campaign across the province. The meeting was attended by Dr Raj Kumar, Project Director EPI Sindh, Secretary Health Rehan Iqbal Baloch, CEO PPHI Sindh Javed Ali Jagirani, Director General Health Services Dr Waqar Mehmood, EOC Coordinator Dr Shehrayar Memon, DG Rescue 1122 Brig Wajid Sabghatullah Mehr, and representatives of WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the Gates Foundation, ACSUS, the Education Department and other partner organisations.

On the occasion, the minister directed all districts to ensure daily tracking of vaccinators, timely management of refusals, and proper return of used syringes and vials. “Action will be taken under cybercrime laws against individuals spreading false information about vaccines online,” she warned, adding that parental refusals would be addressed under the Sindh Immunisation Act 2023, which aims to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Talking to this scribe, Sindh EPI Project Director Dr Raj Kumar said that EPI, under the supervision of the Sindh Health Department, has made elaborate arrangements to make the MR campaign — aimed at vaccinating over 8 million children aged 6–59 months — an effective exercise.

According to him, community leaders, religious figures and academic heads have been taken on board to ensure their ownership of the measles campaign, particularly as the province still has a cohort of children who missed their prescribed doses at 9 months (first dose) and 15 months (second dose). The last mass campaign was held in 2022 following the floods, Dr Raj recalled. He urged community elders not to miss the opportunity or compromise on their children’s health and to extend full support to the drive.

Alongside the measles vaccination activities, an OPV campaign has also been planned in selected districts of Sindh for children aged up to five years during the MR campaign days, he said. He added that efforts are also under way to approach elected representatives to encourage parents and caregivers in their constituencies to ensure eligible children receive measles and polio vaccines.

According to Sindh health officials, as many as 8.2 million children aged 6–59 months will be covered under the MR campaign in 1,191 union councils across the province, while OPV activities will be limited to 23 polio high-risk districts with a target population of 8.4 million eligible children.

As per the service delivery plan shared with this scribe, vaccination will be provided through fixed sites and outreach locations, including schools, communities and mobile units.

Each vaccination team will comprise 3–4 members, including a skilled vaccinator able to administer a sub-cutaneous injection, a team assistant for OPV drops, and social mobilisers who will visit households. In all, 6,532 skilled staff, 6,532 team assistants, 11,611 social mobilisers, 2,038 supervisors and 1,749 other officers and focal persons have been engaged for the campaign.

Measles-rubella vaccines, like several other preventive vaccines, have been procured as part of Pakistan’s co-financing share with Gavi, in line with Gavi’s vaccine policy until the country graduates from its support.

It is pertinent to mention that measles and rubella continue to pose a significant public-health threat, with outbreaks reported in over 400 union councils across around 100 districts. An expert privy to the data remarked: “Pakistan registered an incidence of 80 measles cases per million this year — four times higher than the WHO threshold for classifying outbreaks as ‘large and disruptive’, which is more than 20 cases per million population over 12 months.”

Images courtesy: Sindh EPI