ISLAMABAD: Expanded Programme on Immunization and Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative have called for a renewed and unified national commitment to strengthen immunization efforts and ensure that every child is protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.
The appeal was made on the occasion of World Immunization Week, being observed from April 24 to 30 under the theme “For Every Generation, Vaccines Work,” highlighting the importance of vaccines in protecting individuals and communities across generations.
Director General EPI Dr. Musa Khan said routine immunization remains the foundation of a healthy nation, stressing that timely vaccination of every child is essential for both individual protection and building resilient communities.
According to officials, the EPI programme in Pakistan provides protection against 13 vaccine-preventable diseases, including tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal disease, measles, rubella, and rotavirus. Despite progress in expanding access, gaps in routine immunization coverage continue to persist, particularly in underserved and high-risk areas.
Within the broader immunization framework, Pakistan has made significant progress towards polio eradication, with more than 99.8 percent reduction in reported cases—from around 20,000 annually in the 1990s to just one case reported so far in 2026.
Prime Minister’s Focal Point for Polio Ayesha Farooq said the country is closer than ever to interrupting transmission but emphasized that the final phase requires continued support from parents, caregivers, and communities to ensure every child receives the polio vaccine alongside routine immunization.
Officials said that through joint efforts, EPI and PEI continue to reach millions of children across the country through routine services and nationwide vaccination campaigns. They urged parents to complete their children’s immunization schedules and called on community leaders, religious scholars, civil society, and institutions to support vaccination teams in reaching every child.
They added that sustained commitment to immunization will be critical in protecting children and building a healthier and more resilient Pakistan.
