Pediatricians Seek Strengthening Of Vaccination Delivery System

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th May, 2017 ) : Child specialists have called for strengthening vaccination delivery systems in the country. Talking to APP here Wednesday they were of unanimous opinion that both public and private sector must work together aggressively to ensure that every child receives the full course of vaccinations under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).

Prof. Ayesha Mehnaz, former head of pediatrics department, Civil Hospital - Karachi said there was urgency to raise demand for vaccines among the parents pertaining to both urban and rural areas.

"Myths, misconceptions and hurdles linked to accessibility must be addressed with absolute efficiency," she said. Mentioning that PCV-10 vaccine, introduced across the country by the government in 2014, is established to have made a huge difference in prevention of varied vaccine preventable diseases, the senior child specialists regretted that cases of meningitis and pneumonia were still registered in the country.

"This definitely reflects certain deficiencies in our delivery system," she said. Dr. Mobina Agboatwala said vaccination that previously caused parents no less than Rs.16,000 to Rs. 20,000 is now available absolutely free of cost.

"We have to understand what is preventing parents from availing of a chance pre-requisite to improve life quality of their kids," she said. The pediatrician suggested need for a three pronged quality improvement strategy to keep immunization staff motivated coupled; no compromise on quality of vaccine and ensuring their easy access to the kids.

The two senior professionals agreed special attention was needed to strengthen routine immunization across the country.