PESHAWAR
\nIn an effort to improve immunization coverage, Civil Society Human and Institutional Development Programme (CHIP), a non-governmental organization, is arranging puppet shows to raise vaccination awareness in low-performing areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
\nThese interactive sessions engage communities, address misconceptions and encourage parents to ensure their children receive routine immunization.
\n\u201cThe initiative has been launched a few months earlier with focus on those districts especially in Sothern region of KP where vaccination coverage is low due to different issues,\u201d informed Durre Shahwar Khan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) CHIP.
\nCHIP is playing its role in strengthening vaccination coverage and outreach in collaboration with Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI) and through the support of GAVI Vaccine Alliance and Mannion & Daniel, a global health and social development consultancy.
\nThe objective of the initiative is to overcome vaccine hesitancy, dispel myths and educate children and parents in high-risk, low-performing union councils of Peshawar and surrounding districts through spreading awareness about importance of immunization, she told APP.
\nThe puppet shows are held in districts including Peshawar, Lakki Marwat, Bannu and D.I.Khan in local Pashto language for coverage of the message among maximum number of people in effective manner.
\n\u201cThe significance of vaccine efficacy in safeguarding minors from lifelong disabilities is conveyed to the public through engaging and entertaining forms of communication,\u201d Durre Shahwar remarked.
\nShe said busting myths through amusement is a very powerful approach and is showing positive results in convincing people in hard areas of the region where maximum number of polio cases are reported in the country.
\nIn the year 2025, 31 cases of polio were registered in Pakistan out of which 17 were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with main concentration in its Sothern region.
\nIn puppet shows, children are invited along with their parents and the performers while spreading laughter among audience also focus on demystifying myths mostly reported among people regarding immunization especially polio drops.
\nDurre Shahwar said that around 25 shows have been conducted over the past few months under the initiative, adding that an assessment will be carried out to evaluate its impact, particularly in terms of increased immunization coverage, reduction in the number of refusals and decrease in zero-dose children in the targeted districts.
\nThe feedback response needs time, research and study which is also part of the initiative and will be carried out soon, she continued.
\nShe added that each show engages around 500 to 600 participants, most of whom are children and the activity plays an important role in raising awareness and dispelling misconceptions about immunization within the community.
\nThe last show was held in Peshawar at Tehkal area a day before starting of Ramzan while the activity will continue in other districts after passage of the holy month.
\nAbout other activities of CHIP in improving public health, she said the organization focuses on social mobilization, governance, health, immunization, education, sponsorships, water, sanitation, hygiene education, climate change and environment.
\nWe are also focusing on use of social media platforms including TikTok to educate public about importance of immunization.
\nThrough short, engaging videos, we aim to dispel myths and inspire viewers to make informed health decisions, she added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR In an effort to improve immunization coverage, Civil Society Human and Institutional Development Programme (CHIP), a non-governmental organization, is arranging puppet shows to raise vaccination awareness in low-performing areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These interactive sessions engage communities, address misconceptions and encourage parents to ensure their children receive routine immunization. \u201cThe initiative has been launched […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":535553,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-535534","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-peshawar"},"yoast_head":"\n