.jpg)
LASHKARGAH (SW): Thousands of children in a number of restive Helmand districts have not been vaccinated against different diseases for the past 15 years.
Dr. Abdul Ahad Hazem, director immunization program in Helmand, has acknowledged it. He told Salam Watandar the residents of Zarghoon and Sheen villages in Naad-e-Ali district have been evading vaccination for the past 15 years. Dr. Hezem said people in this part of the country deem vaccination against the religion, and believe the vaccine has ‘blood of animals’ in it.
The director for immunization further said elders here believe the vaccination would harm their next generations. He said the health officials have tried to convince the locals with the help of religious decrees from a number of countries, but to no avail.
The health directorate in Helmand has now asked the local civil society, tribal and religious elders to play their due role in ensuring the children are vaccinated against polio and other preventable diseases.
The campaign is also focused on Mosa Qala, Sangin and Lashkargah cities.
In two years’ time, the seventh polio immunization campaign has been launched in Helmand. Dr. Hazem informed up to 700,000 children have been vaccinated in Desho, Baghran, Garmsir and Nawzad districts in one week.
Dr. Sultan Mohammad, chairman of the Helmand civil society organization, said in this regard that not many local elders and civil society activists are vigorously campaigning for vaccination. He added effective mobilization and convincing campaigns would help improve reach of the polio vaccination.
ENDS
