Minister P&SHD Announces Evening Shift Vaccination at Selected Hospitals

18/05/23

Punjab Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Dr. Jamal Nasir said here on Thursday that the Expanded Program on Immunization has started evening shift vaccination services at leading Teaching Hospitals of the province. Speaking at Media Orientation Workshop organized by the Expanded Program on Immunization with support of UNICEF, he said the initiative shall facilitate parents who are unable to get their children vaccinated during working hours.
Present in the Seminar were Director General Health Services Punjab Dr. Ilyas Gondal, Director Expanded Program on Immunization Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, UNICEF representatives Dr. Tahir Manzoor and Dr. Quratul Ain, WHO representative Dr. Imran Qureshi, Director Hepatitis Control Program Dr. Yadullah, immunization experts, senior journalists including bureau chiefs and beat reporters.
Dr. Nasir Jamal said that role of vaccines is pivotal in preventing and controlling outbreaks across the world. Without vaccines, he said, our world would be hugely vulnerable to epidemics and outbreaks. He said the Orientation Workshop was part of the activities of the World Immunization Week 2023 which is is commemorated world over from 24  to 30 April every year. However, awareness activities continue throughout the month of May. He further said that in consonance with the theme of this year, 'The Big Catch up', Punjab carried out the Integrated Outreach Activity with WHO support which provided an excellent catch-up vaccination opportunity to cover Zero Dose Children/Communities & Defaulters, Higher age group children till 5 years missing vaccination, ensure Covid-19 Vaccination and administer OPV to Still Missed Children. He said, “The World Immunization Week" gives an opportunity to create awareness about the miraculous impact of vaccines in saving human lives. Vaccines are the most cost effective Public Health Intervention ever introduced in human history. Government of the Punjab provides vaccines for 12 fatal diseases to children below two years of age free of cost. These vaccines are administered by Skilled Immunization Staff through fixed and outreach sites.”
Director General Health Services Punjab Dr. Ilyas Gondal appealed media to support in creating awareness about the role vaccines in saving lives. Director EPI Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed said that Punjab has also set up Labour Room Birth Vaccination at selected Teaching Hospitals to ensure birth dose vaccine of every child.  
UNICEF Representative Dr. Tahir Manzoor said that benefits of vaccines must reach the rich and poor alike. WHO Representative Dr. Imran Qureshi said that vaccines provided by EPI Punjab were approved by the WHO and were safe and effective.