Rawalpindi: The District Health Authority has launched an extensive immunization campaign across Rawalpindi’s eight tehsils to protect children and prepare for future disease threats. The drive began in June and runs through mid-July, following a two-pronged approach: an immediate catch-up effort for unvaccinated children and groundwork for a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) campaign in September.
According to Dr. Waqar, spokesman for the District Health Authority, the ongoing “Big Catchup" campaign targets children aged 0 to 59 months who either missed or are due for vaccinations. It also includes those left out in earlier drives, known as Still Missed Children (SMC).
To execute the campaign, 226 teams comprising vaccinators, assistants, and social mobilizers have been deployed. Thirty-five supervisors and five District Health Management officials ensure quality control.
The campaign covers Rawalpindi’s urban and rural zones, including Kallar Syedan, Taxila, Murree, and others. In parallel, teams are collecting baseline data for girls aged 9–14 as part of the upcoming HPV vaccine program aimed at preventing cervical cancer.
Social mobilizers visit households to raise awareness, counter vaccine misinformation, and identify unvaccinated children, while assistants manage logistics and vaccine storage. CEO of the Health Authority,
Dr. Asif Arbab Niazi told APP that community involvement is vital and urged families to utilise the free vaccination services offered at health centres, schools, and community hubs. He emphasized the importance of public cooperation for long-term health benefits.
