RAWALPINDI: Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal on April 25 said the foundation of a healthy Pakistan lies in protecting our children from preventable diseases.
“We are taking steps to increase immunisation coverage to ensure timely delivery of life-saving vaccines to every child. Each year, approximately seven million children in Pakistan receive routine immunisation services. Through polio campaigns, we reach over 45 million children. It is a matter of concern that Pakistan remains among the few countries where the poliovirus is still present,” he stated in a statement on the World Immunisation Week being observed from April 24 to 30.
The minister stated that “under the leadership of the prime minister, we remain committed to the complete eradication of polio. He said he would take all possible measures to eliminate polio from across the country and protect children from lifelong disability.
He also appealed to religious scholars, media and civil society to play their full and effective role in the fight against polio. A safe and secure future for our children is a shared responsibility of us all.
Appeals to religious scholars, media and civil society to play effective role in fight against polio
“Vaccination is not just a health intervention, it is an investment in a healthier and more prosperous future,” said Federal Directorate of Immunisation (FDI) Director General Dr Shabana Saleem.
“The EPI remains committed to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their location or circumstances has access to life-saving vaccines.” Pakistan provides free vaccination against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases in the EPI routine schedule, she said.
WHO representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng said WHO stands by Pakistan to continue reinforcing its immunisation programmes. “Vaccines are safe. Vaccines work. Vaccines save millions of lives. Since 1948, WHO has been partnering with Pakistan as a founding member of the organisation and will continue to do so. Since the creation of the Pakistan Expanded Programme of Immunisation in 1978 in partnership with WHO, we have worked together to protect and save the lives of millions of people.
Every newborn deserves the benefit of these vaccines. Reaching every child is not only the right thing to do, but also the best investment to build a prosperous future for Pakistan; and it is humanly possible.”
Abdullah Fadil, Unicef country representative, added that “I want to reiterate Unicef’s commitment to supporting the key components of Pakistan’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation that include service delivery, cold chain and driving demand for vaccines. Together, our aim is to reach every child, reduce the number of zero-dose children, and ensure that full immunisation coverage across Pakistan.” According to a spokesman for health services, under the international theme of ‘Immunisation for all is humanly possible’, the FDI in collaboration with all provincial EPIs, WHO, Unicef and partners are carrying out a series of awareness activities to remind that vaccines are one of humanity’s greatest achievements.
Every year, Pakistan vaccinates over seven million children with routine immunisation doses in addition to reaching 45 million children through multiple supplementary polio vaccination campaigns.
Last year, Pakistan looked to vaccinate 7.3 million infants. Out of these, 1.2 million children (16pc) did not receive any dose of measles vaccines because they did not complete the full schedule due to several reasons, making us susceptible to outbreaks.
There are significant regional disparities in vaccination coverage as well, with almost half of Balochistan’s children (49pc) remaining under or partially immunised. Pakistan also remains one of the last two polio endemic countries in the world.
Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2025
