MANSEHRA: Several events were arranged in Kohistan region to mark World Immunization Week, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination in protecting children from preventable diseases.
As part of the campaign, sensitization sessions were held in schools and community centres where health workers educated parents, teachers, and community members about routine immunization and its vital role in ensuring a healthy future for children.
Stakeholders, including deputy commissioner, district health officer, Health Department officials, Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Coordinator and religious scholars were engaged to strengthen outreach and ensure that awareness messages reached the maximum number of people.
“Participants were encouraged to complete their children’s vaccination schedules and to dispel common misconceptions about vaccines,” said Farah Shahid, Executive Director Khagarah Development Organization (KDO), a civil society organization working in collaboration with EPI and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to improve routine immunization in hard-to-reach and high-risk areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“These initiatives were part of KDO’s project, “Immunize Now - Reach the Unreached,” which underscores the critical importance of ensuring routine immunization for every child”, she added.
Awareness walks were also organized across various localities with participation from students, teachers, health officials and community elders. The participants carried banners and placards highlighting key messages on immunization and the need for collective efforts to protect children from life-threatening diseases.
