Immunization-Coverage
\n PESHAWAR
\nTo strengthen immunization coverage and address the problem of missed children by targeting unreached populations, vaccination teams have successfully administered essential vaccines in remote and underserved localities of Khyber district.
\nThe teams were deployed jointly by Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI), MERF (Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation) and GAVI, a global public-private health partnership.
\nKhyber district, with its rugged terrain and scattered settlements, has long posed logistical challenges for routine health campaigns. Many localities remain cut off from mainstream healthcare services, leaving vulnerable populations especially children and pregnant women at high risk of vaccine-preventable illnesses such as measles, polio and diphtheria, observed Dr. Junaid Team lead MERF.
\nThe teams reached remote areas of Khyber, particularly Sheen Tang in Ali Masjid UC and successfully brought children into the immunization network through door-to-door visits and consultations with local elders.
\nNestled deep in the rugged mountains of District Khyber, Sheen Tang village had long been deprived of even basic healthcare. Accessible only through rocky stream beds (nallas) and steep terrain, the village lies nearly five kilometers from the nearest health facility.
\nThese communities in Khyber District were previously left out due to inaccessibility, weak health infrastructure, lack of transport, law and order situation and cultural barriers. The immunization rates were extremely low and most of children had never received any vaccines.
\nOn reaching the area after several hours of walk and treking, the community\u2019s reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Local elders warmly welcomed the health team and offered their full support.
\n\u201cOur village is surrounded by mountains and the health center is very far,\u201d said Akhtar Munir, a 38 years old farmer while expressing his gratitude.
\n\u201cWe used to walk on rocky paths filled with stones and water, making it impossible for women and children. Now the vaccination team comes to our homes. Our children are safe and healthy. We are very happy that the government and MERF remembered us,\u201d Munir commented.
\n\u201cEarlier, our children never received vaccines because we live so far away,\u201d shared one elder.There is no road here only stones and stream beds. Now the vaccination team comes to our doors. We feel our children are finally protected.\u201d
\nRegarding challenges faced by vaccinating team in accessing the area, Dr. Junaid shared that it included difficult terrain of five km no motorable road, cultural barriers, limited awareness, past mistrust toward health workers, history of insecurity and drug activity in the area.
\nThe initiative attain coverage of 145% of Penta 3 by successfully covering backlog, 141% of Measles Rubella (MR1), 125 % OF BCG, 125% in resumption of early age vaccination.
\nThrough strong community compliance reduction of 31 percent in children who missed Penta1 and 3 vaccinne was achieved besides administering of Td (Tetanus-Diphtheria) to 18 pregnant women despite sever cultural constraints.
\nVaccination is now recognized as a government and community priority for child health as parents now proactively seek vaccination for their children
\n\u201cReaching Sheen Tang was not just a geographical challenge, it was a social one,\u201d comments Dr. Mohibullah, EPI Coordinator, District Khyber.
\nThe commitment shown by the vaccinator and outreach worker is commendable. They have turned a once-neglected community into a model of progress, he remarekd.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Immunization-Coverage PESHAWAR To strengthen immunization coverage and address the problem of missed children by targeting unreached populations, vaccination teams have successfully administered essential vaccines in remote and underserved localities of Khyber district. The teams were deployed jointly by Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI), MERF (Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation) and GAVI, a global public-private health partnership. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":542747,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-542729","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-peshawar"},"yoast_head":"\n