PIMA for a nationwide campaign to immunize against diphtheria

KARACHI: The Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) has called for an urgent and comprehensive vaccination campaign in response to the country’s resurgence of diphtheria, stressing the importance of ensuring that antitoxins are readily available throughout the country.
According to Prof. Dr. Atif Hafeez Siddiqui, president of PIMA Central, diphtheria has returned with alarming intensity, casting doubt on the performance of health authorities after it was nearly eradicated thanks to effective vaccination.
He said that a lot of the resurgence was caused by problems with the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many kids missed out on important vaccinations.
While diphtheria is treatable, Prof. Siddiqui cautioned that the actual number of child deaths caused by the disease is likely higher than official figures suggest. He stated that although the disease can be treated, complete vaccination is essential for prevention, particularly for children whose immune systems are weakened.
To make the campaign fully successful, PIMA urged authorities to address any gaps in the vaccination program and called for a nationwide effort to ensure full vaccination coverage.