Anti measles drive was launched in Multan here on Monday like rest of the country to immunise more than 34 million children ageing between nine months to 13 years. In Multan more than 0.2 million children would be vaccinated as measles is still endemic in Pakistan and was a major cause of childhood mortality and morbidity.
The drive is the final phase of the world's largest ever anti measles campaign to bring measles deaths to zero across the country. "We have the responsibility to protect our children from measles. We cannot afford to leave even a single child un-immunised," said Professor Dr Laiq Hussain Siddiqui Principal Nishtar Medical College.
He said the ministry in collaboration with the provincial and district governments of Punjab would launch the final and largest phase of the campaign in all districts. He said during the campaign, which was launched in February 2007 more than 31 million children had been vaccinated.
He said the country's largest ever public health campaign would bring together nearly 45,000 health workers along with religious and community leaders, teachers, and other community members. He said Pakistan's immunisation partnership was setting a standard and providing a model of working together which could be used for addressing other important health and social challenges.