A three days anti polio drive was formally kicked off in 17 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) here on Monday.

The launching of national immunization campaign was formally inaugurated by Minister for Health Khyber Pakthunkhwa, Syed Zahir Ali Shah and Secretary Health, Muhammad Asfaque Khan by administering Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) in a special function here.

Speaking on the occasion, the Health Minister said the polio was crippling disease that could only be eradicated by making joint efforts and supporting each others for the national obligation. He expressed the hope that polio would soon be eradicated from the country with the support of all segments of society.

He hoped that the EPI staff would further improve their performance and reach out to all children up to the age of five to ensure 100 percent coverage. The Minister held out an appeal to parents to vaccinate their children against polio and protect them from permanent disability.

Moreover, he urged upon media persons to support the national cause and play its constructive role in raising awareness among the masses about polio that could be protected merely by administering two drops to their children.

Deputy Director EPI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dr Jan Baz Afridi said three days anti-polio drive has been started in 17 districts of the province and Afghan refugees' camps besides Fata. He said DCOs and Political Agents have been directed to supervise and monitors the campaigns.

He said 10799 teams have been formed for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa out of which 9191 were mobile teams, 986 fixed teams and 619 were transit teams.  As many as 2047 area in-charges have been hired to ensure vaccination to 3.7 million children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he added. The Lady Health Workers and officials of Health Department are visiting house to house by administering the vaccine to children. The people are also bringing their children to nearest hospitals for vaccination.