Daily Times

LAHORE: A number of new vaccines have been introduced in the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) including Rota virus and Hepititis B birth dose.

Now, by launching the DTP booster vaccine in EPI program, Punjab has become the first province in the country to introduce this vaccine.

Primary & Secondary Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir addressed the launching ceremony of DTP booster vaccine in EPI program on Thursday. The DTP vaccine would provide shield to the children against diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus.

He added that children get pentavalent vaccines by the age of six, 10 and 14 weeks to gain protection from diphtheria, pertusis and tetanus, however when they grow up, the immunity level becomes low, therefore, DTP booster dose is very essential to the children at the age of four/five years to ensure their immunity against the said diseases. Therefore, the government has introduced DTP booster for this purpose on which Rs 500 million would be spent.

He said that all the provincial governments and political leadership of Pakistan should stand above from the political differences and work for the betterment of the future generation. He was of the opinion 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.

The minister said that polio worker teams visit house to house for immunisation of those children whom they have no blood relation with, in order to prevent them from permanent disability, but some families do not cooperate and misbehave with the visiting teams, which is regrettable. He said that it is also the responsibility of parents to pay attention to the health of their children and get them immunised.

On this occasion, United Nations International Children’s Fund representative Douglas, Dr Jamshed of World Health Organisation and Dr Raul Bonifico congratulated the Punjab government for introducing of DTP booster dose in EPI. Douglas said that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and his team has paid special attention on the health sector development, specially prevention of diseases programme. He was of the opinion that DTP booster vaccine would be helpful to save thousands of lives from diseases.

While addressing the ceremony, Health Secretary Ali Jan Khan said that during the last two years, the whole department worked efficiently and with dedication.

Published in Daily Times, April 27^th 2018.