The Punjab government on Thursday launched DTP booster (pentavalent) vaccine making it a part of the EPI programme. The new vaccine will protect children against diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus.
While addressing the launching ceremony, Punjab Primary and Secondary Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir said that during the last two years a number of new vaccines were introduced in the EPI programme, including ROTA virus and Hepatitis-B birth dose. "Now, by launching the DTP booster vaccine, Punjab has become first province in the country to introduce this vaccine," he added. According to him, children will be vaccinated with the pentavalent vaccine at the age of six, 10 and 14 weeks to protect them from diphtheria, pertusis and tetanus. The government has introduced DTP booster at a cost of Rs 500 million. He was of the view that a joint strategy should be adopted and consolidated steps must be taken to eradicate polio, malnutrition and to overcome the maternal and infant mortality from the country.
He observed that polio workers visit door to door to vaccinate children, but some families do not cooperate and misbehave with the visiting teams which is regrettable. "It is also the responsibility of parents to pay attention on the health of their children and get them immunized," he added.
On the occasion, representatives of UNICEF Douglas, Dr Jamshed and Dr Raul Bonifico congratulated the Punjab government for introducing DTP booster dose in EPI.
Douglas credited Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and his team for focusing the health sector, especially disease prevention programme. He was of the view that DTP booster vaccine would be helpful to save thousands lives from the diseases.
Meanwhile, the Minister also inaugurated a photographic exhibition of renowned photographer Amir Khan. Amir Khan has depicted the hardships of polio workers during the anti-polio campaign in the remote areas.