Immunization campaigns have been launched for many contagious diseases such as Polio and Hepatitis B. The campaign for Polio has been extensively launched on the television and the radio. It has been estimated that since 2004 there has been a 50% drop in the number of reported cases. Another massive campaign was also launched to create awareness against the disease in which various sections of the society were targeted with the vaccine ranging from school to factories to people working in the low lying areas of the country. It has been estimated that nearly 95% of the cases are protected if vaccinated at birth. There is also a potential for an immunization campaign against the Haemophilus

Influenza Type B (Hib). If it were to be launched in Pakistan it has been estimated that it will prevent nearly 20% of children infected with meningitis in the country.

Lastly, there are some recommendations made for eradicating diseases in the country.

Recommendations:
* All children attending school must provide their immunization record cards and their track record should be maintained.

* With the support of government and donor agencies the prices of vaccine should be made affordable to all.

* It is the duty of parents to make sure that all their children get vaccinated. They should invest on them now to secure their future.

* A massive campaign is required to create awareness among parents for their children.

* Parents should be educated to maintain their child’s vaccination record card updated.

Resources:
www.cdc.gov.htm
www.simcoemuskokahealth.org
www.IRINnews.org
“Vaccines & Vaccination - cost effective disease prevention” “Tuberculosis: the largest infectious killer of the world” by Dr. Javaid Khan. News Update Aga Khan Health Services Pakistan Issue No: 10, Dec. 2003.

About the Author:
Ms. Anila Allana has done her BScN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing) from the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) in 1993, and worked as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Peadiatric Unit, AKUH. Presently working with Catcokids, Inc. as a Trainer for the Child Care Provider Course she has also worked as a Nurse Administrator (Catco Kids, Inc.) at the Corporate Day Care Centers.