PESHAWAR, June 2: NWFP Health Minister Inayatullah Khan on Wednesday appealed to people to get their children vaccinated against polio. During surprise visits to different localities on the outskirts of the city during the three-day polio immunization drive , he said the NWFPgovernment was committed to eradicating the disease through concerted efforts raising awareness among the parents about it.

The minister visited Mattani and Badabher localities and Darra Adamkhel and asked people whether their children had received the vaccine. He told people to ensure that their children below the age of five years got anti-polio drops.

He expressed concern over some children not having been vaccinated and asked officials concerned to ensure that no child below the age of five years was left out in the drive. He warned the vaccination staff that action would be taken against those who did not perform their duties efficiently during the campaign.

The minister asked health officials to properly mark the houses where the children had been vaccinated. Extended Programme of Immunization Deputy Director Dr Abdul Waheed told newsmen that polio vaccine would be administered to 5.5 million children, including 300,000 Afghan refugees.