Anti-measles vaccination campaign, which was scheduled to begin on 25th May 2016, has been postponed in Karachi.
Reliable sources at the health department told PPI that an expanded programme on immunisation (EPI) had decided to carry out a special vaccination drive in 120 high risk union councils of Karachi from May 25 to June 2 to contain measles outbreak in the city. They planned to vaccinate around 1.1 million children between the ages of six months to five years in 120 high risk union councils of Karachi.
The decision was taken after reporting of over 500 measles cases from different districts of Karachi. The special measles vaccination drive has been planned to carry out in union councils where sanitation conditions are extremely poor and the rate of routine immunisation was very low. Sources said the drive had been postponed due to polio drive which was expected to start from 23th May in the city. New date will be announced soon.