Fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fIPV) campaign in Pakistan | Dr Ali Faisal Saleem

Dr Ali Faisal Saleem and Dr Tahir Yousafzai are the brains behind the new fractional polio dose campaign’s science. 1/5th of a dose is given with a new needles-less intradermal injection. Vaccination coverage surged to 85 percent on the fourth day of Pakistan’s largest fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (fIPV) campaign. "An overwhelming increase in vaccine acceptance has been observed on the fourth day of the 10-day fIPV drive, with today’s statistics showing that over 85 percent of children were vaccinated in the 40 Union Councils of Karachi during the first phase of the campaign," said an official Target = all children in 85 Union Councils both oral and injectable polio vaccines. The painless jet injectors are being used to administer the fIPV, which provides lifelong immunity 1,037,000 children aged four months to five years are receiving fractional inactivated polio vaccine (f-IPV) injections in addition to Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) drops. We are introducing innovative, painless jet injectors to administer the polio vaccine to children in high-risk areas of Karachi, where the poliovirus still circulates. The campaign will continue in Karachi's 85 high-risk union councils until August 25, with a target of vaccinating over 1.1 million children. Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) officials say the ongoing fIPV campaign is part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to eradicate polio, especially in high-risk areas where the virus is still present, adding that the introduction of jet injectors, which provide a painless vaccination experience, has significantly contributed to the increased acceptance and coverage of the vaccine.