WHO to support vaccination of 2.8m children

Islamabad:The World Health Organisation (WHO) has partnered with the Government of Pakistan to protect 2.8 million children with life-saving vaccines.

These children had missed routine doses due to the COVID-19 pandemic or any other reason during the first and second round of the ‘Big Catch-Up’ immunisation campaign across Pakistan.

The second phase of the campaign concluded this week after vaccinating over 1.3 million children throughout February and March, building on a first round that had reached 1.5 million children from October to December 2024.

Among the children protected, over 358,000 children had never received an immunization dose. A third and final round is planned for the second half of 2025 to ensure continued vigilance and high immunization coverage.

With financial support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and its partners have supported this Government-led initiative under the leadership of the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI) and its Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), in partnership with provincial EPIs.

The activity was implemented in synergy with the Polio Eradication Programme and mutual support was provided to ensure maximum reach – including frontline workers, monitoring, and resources.

“The overwhelming success of the second round of the Big Catch Up demonstrates the dedication of the Government of Pakistan and its vaccinators working in the frontlines to safeguard its children against preventable diseases,” said Dr. Dapeng Luo, WHO representative in Pakistan. “Vaccines work and save lives. WHO will continue to support and partner with Pakistan to deliver health for all and leave no child behind.”