SWABI, Feb 25: The Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) has begun a vaccination campaign in 22 of the 56 union councils of Swabi district on emergency basis after declaring them measles-affected.

A measles outbreak has already been reported in the Gadoon Amazai mountainous region with three children falling victim to the acute and highly contagious viral disease.

A suspected case of four-year-old Adil being killed by measles has also emerged.

The relevant officials told Dawn that measles outbreak had been reported in Zaida, Salim Khan, Chaknoda, Maneri, Upper Sadray and Lower Sadray, Yar Hussain and five union councils of Gadoon Amazai belt.

They said EPI teams had been sent to the affected areas on emergency basis for carrying out anti-measles vaccination campaign.

Officials said the campaign targeted children between nine months and 13 years of age, while in other areas, too, EPI teams quickly responded to fresh measles cases. They said EPI teams, who had returned from Gadoon belt after conducting vaccination campaign, would go back to the areas for corrective steps in case of emergence of new measles cases.

Of late, according to officials, the district health officials and district coordination officer requested to the provincial health secretary and director general (health) for urgent supply of anti-measles vaccines.

The sought-after vaccines reached the district administration on Saturday.

Some officials complained that anti-measles campaign had negatively impacted on anti-polio campaign for both being run by EPI teams simultaneously.

“We don't know how both campaigns could be managed by EPI technicians at the same time. If they focus on one, the other will suffer,” said a local doctor.

An official said there was a worry at EPI that if its teams used all vaccines in emergency campaign, then how they would tackle routine anti-measles campaign.

He said the securing of vaccine was a time-consuming exercise as the district authorities put up a request to the provincial director general (health) who forwarded it to the federal government and once it okayed the request, vaccine would be procured before being sent to EPI.