MIRPUR (Hayat News): A comprehensive two-week immunization campaign targeting children under five years old is set to begin across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Monday, December 2, officials announced. The initiative, known as the “Big Catch-Up,” aims to vaccinate children who missed routine immunizations against 12 deadly diseases.
The campaign, organized by the AJK State Health Department with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Federal Directorate of Immunization, will run until December 14, 2024, uninterrupted.
Campaign Details
Mirpur District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Fida Hussain Raja revealed that the campaign will target at least 16,368 children under five years of age across the district. Vaccines will be administered by mobile paramedical teams from the State Health Department, alongside services provided at designated Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) centers.
“We have mobilized 35 outreach teams to ensure every child in the district is vaccinated against diseases such as congenital tuberculosis, hepatitis, pneumonia, measles, typhoid, polio, meningitis, and tetanus,” Dr. Fida said during an awareness seminar held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Saturday.
Stakeholders Support the Initiative
Deputy Commissioner Mirpur, Yasir Riaz, urged parents to actively cooperate with health teams to protect their children and contribute to the development of a healthier society. The importance of immunization was highlighted at the seminar by key officials, including Senior Superintendent of Police Khawar Shaukat and other stakeholders, who pledged their support for the campaign.
Dr. Fida emphasized that the outreach teams will conduct door-to-door visits in addition to their efforts at EPI centers, ensuring no child is left behind. He also briefed participants on the efficacy of vaccines in preventing life-threatening illnesses, encouraging stakeholders to promote awareness about the campaign.
Call to Action
Public Health officials called on community members to take full advantage of the campaign. They reassured parents that the vaccines are safe and vital for preventing diseases that can have severe consequences on children’s health.
Key attendees of the seminar included Assistant Commissioner Raja Zahid Hussain, District Mufti Zahid Mehmood, Population Welfare Officer Kamran Hussain, and senior health department officials, all of whom underscored the critical role of immunization in fostering a healthier community.
The campaign represents a collective effort to address missed immunizations and ensure comprehensive health coverage for AJK’s youngest residents.
