Pakistan on Tuesday announced that it will set up mandatory polio immunisation points at its international airports, a day after the WHO imposed travel restrictions on it.The World Health Organisation (WHO) said all Pakistanis and foreigners living there for four weeks needed polio vaccination before going out of the country.
Minister of state for national health services Saira Afzal Tarar said the government was making all efforts to make the country polio free. “We are planning to set up vaccination centres at all international airports to help travelers meet with the conditions of WHO,” she said.
Analysts, however, say the move would not help since WHO directions clearly state that vaccination has to be taken at least four weeks in advance. Airport vaccinations are allowed only on emergency basis. Tarar informed the National Assembly that a special meeting has been called tomorrow to discuss the WHO restrictions.