Pakistan’s long-term immunisation campaigns have safeguarded millions of lives over nearly five decades, averting an estimated 2.6 million child fatalities, the World Health Organization has highlighted. As World Immunization Week nears, the global health agency underscored the country’s advancements since the inception of its Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in 1978.
Developed in collaboration with international partners, the programme has delivered vital vaccines to over 160 million children and 130 million mothers. Its foundation was laid following Pakistan’s successful eradication of smallpox in 1976, a landmark achievement that set the stage for wider immunisation initiatives. Since then, vaccines have been pivotal in lowering mortality from preventable diseases and enhancing child survival rates.
In a significant development, Pakistan has witnessed a dramatic reduction in polio cases, with paralytic polio declining by nearly 99.8 percent since 1994. This success is attributed to persistent vaccination campaigns and extensive community engagement, despite ongoing obstacles. Additionally, maternal and neonatal tetanus has been eliminated in multiple regions, including Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Consequently, approximately 80 percent of the population now resides in areas where neonatal tetanus no longer poses a major public health risk.
Health experts emphasize that these milestones demonstrate the value of sustained investment in routine immunisation systems, especially in reaching vulnerable groups. The WHO estimates that immunisation prevents up to 17 percent of all childhood deaths in Pakistan, ranking it among the most cost-effective public health interventions.
Dr Luo Dapeng commended the dedication of frontline health workers, scientists, and public health officials who have driven the country’s progress. He stressed that vaccines are firmly rooted in scientific evidence and remain crucial for protecting children against life-threatening diseases.
The immunisation programme is supported by a vast workforce, including over 15,000 routine vaccinators and more than 400,000 personnel engaged in polio eradication campaigns. Their efforts ensure vaccination services reach communities nationwide, overcoming geographic and socio-economic challenges.
Beyond saving lives, immunisation has prevented tens of millions of cases of illness, disability, and hospitalisation. Diseases such as measles, pneumonia, polio, and diarrhoeal infections, once leading causes of child mortality, are now increasingly controlled through vaccination.
Experts note that the benefits extend beyond immediate survival, as preventing disease alleviates financial burdens on families, reduces interruptions to education, and eases strain on healthcare systems. The WHO highlights that each life saved through vaccination translates into decades of healthy living, underscoring the long-term social and economic advantages of immunisation.
As Pakistan marks continued progress, global health authorities emphasize that maintaining commitment to vaccination and combating misinformation will be vital to preserving and expanding these achievements.
