RAWALPINDI, 07 AUG (DNA) — A special anti-polio campaign was inaugurated at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, on Friday, involving an awareness session led by Additional Medical Superintendent (AMS) Dr Rana Sattar for young doctors and paramedical staff to address parental concerns, foster vaccine confidence, and highlight the importance of repeated polio doses for children.
Dr. Rana Sattar informed participants that administering repeated doses of the polio vaccine is vital because each additional dose strengthens a child’s immunity. She explained that the vaccine builds strong intestinal immunity where the virus multiplies, thereby providing more effective protection.
Addressing parental hesitations regarding multiple doses, she reassured that every dose enhances protection against the highly contagious disease, helping maintain high population-level immunity. Dr. Rana Sattar clarified that anti-polio campaigns complement rather than replace routine immunization services.
She urged parents to permit polio teams to vaccinate their under-five children during every drive, even if the children have already received routine polio vaccinations, to ensure no child is missed and strong community immunity is preserved.
During the interactive session, young doctors and paramedical staff questioned the AMS regarding polio virus surveillance, the current epidemiological situation, progress in interrupting virus transmission in the country, and measures to protect non-endemic areas from potential viral importation.
Participants discussed the pivotal role medical staff play in eradicating polio by dispelling rumours, countering misinformation, counseling parents, encouraging child vaccination and collaborating with mobile polio teams.
Although no polio cases have been reported in Punjab during the year, the risk of viral importation remains due to wild poliovirus circulation in other regions of Pakistan and neighbouring territories, making sustained high immunity essential.
The session concluded with the formal administration of polio drops to children at Holy Family Hospital, reiterating the resolve to cover every eligible child during the campaign. — DNA
