Polio eradication efforts gain momentum in Karachi
IV Report KARACHI: In the first phase of a special anti-polio campaign, the Emergency Operation Centre's (EOC) polio teams administered fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) to 95% of the target children aged 4-59 months in 40 selected union councils (UCs) across Karachi's six districts. The teams also gave oral polio drops (OPV) to children up to five years old in the same UCs for five days, achieving an overall OPV coverage of 98%. The second phase of the campaign is set to begin on August 21, covering another 45 selective UCs, including seven in the Korangi district, and will continue until August 25. Claiming over 95% vaccination coverage achieved in Karachi’s first phase of fIPV/OPV drive, EOC officials in a statement said that the remaining half million children in 45 UCs will be vaccinated in the second round of the polio drive. “Despite initial resistance to the fIPV on the first day, the campaign witnessed a steady improvement. Motivated team leaders and...