ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal on April 14 said resistance against vaccines could not be mitigated despite spending tens of millions of dollars by Unicef.
The minister stated this while chairing a meeting which reviewed the expenditures and measurable impact of the ongoing vaccination awareness campaigns.
During a briefing, the minister expressed concern over the limited effectiveness of large-scale investments of millions of dollars made in vaccine awareness initiatives supported by Unicef.
He noted that despite spending millions of dollars on awareness campaigns, there had not been a significant reduction in negative public perceptions and vaccine hesitancy, which remained a matter of serious concern.
He stated that the primary objective of the awareness efforts was to reduce vaccine refusal rates and promote positive attitudes toward immunisation among the public. However, the current situation indicates that the desired outcomes have not been achieved. He emphasised the urgent need to counter misinformation and propaganda regarding vaccines in order to restore public trust.
Mr Kamal remarked that the funds spent in the name of Pakistan represented a significant responsibility, and their transparent and effective utilisation must remain a top priority for both the government and the health ministry.
Multiple meetings have already been conducted on the issue; however, the time has now come to shift focus from discussions to results-oriented action.
He reiterated that the core purpose of public health initiatives was to protect people from preventable diseases, and the health ministry was fully committed to the mandate. The minister directed the relevant authorities to formulate a comprehensive strategy aimed at restoring public confidence in vaccination, ensuring transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes.
The meeting was attended by the secretary health, directors general health and the Federal Directorate of Immunisation (FDI).
Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2026.
