Sindh has launched a 13-day rubella vaccination drive to protect children from measles and rubella. The campaign began on November 17 and will continue until November 29 across the province. Health officials said the effort aims to curb the spread of these highly contagious diseases.
During the campaign, children between 6 months and 5 years will receive the free MR vaccine in 30 districts of Sindh. At the same time, polio drops will be given to children under five years in 23 districts. Officials noted that covering all eligible children is essential to prevent future outbreaks.
More than 30,000 frontline workers have been deployed for the rubella vaccination drive. This includes 6,532 vaccinators and an equal number of team assistants. Sindh Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho urged staff to meet their daily targets and work with full commitment.
She said vaccination is legally required and warned that action will be taken if parents or institutions do not cooperate. The minister added that the licenses of private schools could be cancelled if they refuse to support the campaign. Government schools would also face strict action for non-compliance.
Special teams will be formed to handle cases where families resist vaccination. These teams will report their progress every day. The minister also warned that the National Cybercrime Agency will act against those spreading misinformation about vaccines.
Officials stressed that false claims and negative propaganda put children’s health at risk. They noted that while measles, rubella, and polio are preventable through vaccines, past outbreaks have shown gaps in immunization coverage and access to health care.
In high-risk districts, children will receive polio drops along with the measles and rubella vaccine to ensure full protection. According to the National Emergency Operations Centre, the nationwide MR campaign aims to protect 35 million children aged 6 months to under five years.
Health experts said measles and rubella spread through respiratory droplets and can lead to serious complications like pneumonia and encephalitis. They added that the rubella vaccination drive is a vital step to avoid further health emergencies.
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