An immunisation campaign against polio was initiated in Sindh on Monday under with security arrangements having been made for the vaccination teams. A senior provincial health department official said that 8.5 million children would be administered the polio vaccine along with Vitamin A drops by 24,000 teams of the health department. In reply to a question, he said polio immunization campaign would be carried out in Karachi, Thatta, Mirpurkhas and Sanghar on August 26. He further said that in order to ensure foolproof security for the officials, the teams would be accompanied by police and rangers at all times. Area notables, including religious clerics, social workers, political activists also attended the launch of the campaign. He said steps have been taken to address complaints, if any regarding the inability of vaccinators to reach the door steps of the children. Meanwhile all the promises went down the drain as the drive was put off in several parts of Karachi due to security reasons.
Officials said that due to lack of proper security, the campaign was put off in Gadap, Tayassar Town, Surjani, Manghopir and a few other areas. The health department had sought the services of some 2,000 law enforcement officials due to the lack of whom the drive had to be suspended.
