The Sindh health department has initiated a 13-day campaign aimed at vaccinating school-going children against XDR (extensively drug resistance) typhoid in Karachi and Hyderabad.
The campaign targets approximately 8.9 million school children, aged between nine months to 15 years, across eight districts in Sindh. These districts include seven divisions of Karachi and one in Hyderabad, scheduled from May 13 to May 25.
Sindh Health Minister Azra Pechuho urged parents to ensure their children receive the vaccination, highlighting the participation of 7,000 volunteers in the campaign.
Emphasizing the importance of prevention, Minister Pechuho stated that while typhoid can be treated, prevention is essential, and the new vaccine is effective in warding off the disease.
Warning of consequences for parents who neglect vaccination, Minister Pechuho stressed the rapid spread of diseases, making prevention efforts crucial.
Dr. Naeem, the Project Director, revealed that the vaccine would be administered in schools across 31 union councils, aiming to shield children from the rapid transmission of typhoid through contaminated water and food.
Highlighting the severity of typhoid fever, Dr. Naeem cautioned about its potential impact on various organs, including the brain, intestines, kidneys, and bones.
An official from the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) disclosed that Sindh reported 6,800 cases of all typhoid variants, including MDR, XDR, and non-resistant strains, between January and June 2023.
