LAHORE: Emphasising the need for effective 'cold chain' for polio vaccine, leading physician Dr Zafar Umar said that polio eradication is not possible without strengthening cold chain.

"We procure and supply the vaccine to the health department while the VVMs are at stage one. Further exposure to heat results in their losing efficacy; at stage four they are completely ineffective," Dr Zafar told Business Recorder.

He said that health workers associated with immunisation campaigns must be trained to examine the VVM before administering OPV doses to children and reject vials that have been exposed to heat.

He said there is poor cold chain maintenance and untrained vaccinators. "The real need is for uninterrupted electricity supplies at health facilities and properly trained health workers who are able to read the VVM and also spot children with compromised immunity," Dr Umer added. He also called for initiating dialogue to achieve the targets.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020