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Dera Ismail Khan , Nov 15 (APP): The Measles and Rubella (MR) Campaign 2025 was formally inaugurated at the office of the Deputy Commissioner Dera Ismail Khan. The campaign aims to vaccinate approximately 300,000 children aged six months to five years across the district, ensuring protection against these potentially life-threatening diseases.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Adnan Jamil, District Health Officer Dr. Syed Muhammad Mehsud, EPI Coordinator Dr. Irfan Aziz, officers from the Health Department, WHO, UNICEF, Rescue 1122, and representatives of various other departments and organizations.
On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Abdul Nasir Khan highlighted the importance of vaccination for protecting children from dangerous diseases such as measles, rubella, and polio.
As a symbolic gesture promoting child health and immunization, an MR vaccine dose was administered to seven-month-old Nawal Irfan, daughter of EPI Coordinator Dr Irfan Aziz.
Participants reiterated their commitment to ensuring that no child in the district is left unvaccinated and pledged to make the campaign a complete success. The Measles and Rubella Campaign 2025 will continue across the district from November 17 to November 29, 2025.
Meanwhile, officials reported that all preparations have been finalized for the upcoming MR immunization campaign which aims to vaccinate around 300,000 children aged six months to five years. Organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department in collaboration with the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).
According to District Health Officer Dr Syed Muhammad Mehsud and District EPI Coordinator Dr Irfan Aziz, special vaccination teams have been deployed, and all staff have been fully trained to ensure smooth implementation. A district monitoring cell has also been established to oversee and review the progress of the campaign.
Health officials warned that measles is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease, while rubella can cause severe birth defects if contracted during pregnancy. Parents have been urged to fully cooperate with vaccination teams and ensure their children are administered the MR vaccine.
Dr Irfan Aziz also appealed to the public, media, and civil society to support awareness efforts and contribute to building a healthier, disease-free society.