Sindh Launches 13-Day Measles, Rubella Vaccination Drive

Sindh’s Health Minister, Azra Fazal Pechuho, launched a 13-day vaccination campaign against measles and rubella on Nov. 17. The drive will run until Nov. 29, targeting children aged 6 months to 5 years across 30 districts in Sindh. The government will administer the free measles-rubella (MR) vaccine to protect children from these contagious diseases. In addition, polio drops will be given to children in 23 districts to combat the ongoing threat of polio.

The vaccination effort involves over 30,000 frontline workers, including 6,532 vaccinators and equal numbers of team assistants. These staff members will carry out the campaign across the province. Minister Pechuho emphasized the importance of commitment from vaccinators and stressed the need to meet daily targets. She also reminded the public that vaccinating children is legally mandatory, with strict penalties for non-cooperation from parents or institutions.

To ensure smooth execution, special teams will address resistance cases, with daily reporting on progress. The government also warned that spreading fake information or rumors about the vaccination will lead to legal action. The National Cybercrime Agency will be involved in investigating and prosecuting anyone involved in negative propaganda. Misinformation is seen as a serious threat to public health, particularly the safety of children.

The vaccination drive comes in response to sporadic outbreaks of measles and rubella in the past, which highlighted gaps in immunization coverage. These outbreaks, along with challenges like misinformation and limited healthcare access in remote areas, have raised concerns. The drive aims to bridge these gaps and ensure all children are protected against these preventable diseases.

In high-risk districts, polio drops will be given alongside the measles and rubella vaccines to protect against multiple threats. The nationwide campaign aims to reach 35 million children, helping safeguard them from the harmful effects of measles, rubella, and polio. Measles and rubella can cause severe complications like pneumonia and encephalitis, making vaccination crucial.

READ MORE : Measles, Rubella Vaccination Drive to Begin in Pakistan

The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) announced a nationwide vaccination drive from November 17 to November 29. The campaign will target measles, rubella, and polio in children across Pakistan. NEOC emphasized that these diseases are highly contagious and can cause serious health complications. Officials said this effort aims to protect children in all provinces and territories, ensuring better immunization coverage.

Measles and rubella spread through respiratory droplets and can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis. Pakistan reported over 131,000 measles cases in the past three years. NEOC highlighted that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent outbreaks. The campaign will provide free vaccines to children to reduce the risks of these life-threatening diseases.