Islamabad, April 24, 2026 — On the occasion of World Immunization Week (April 24–30), observed under the theme “For Every Generation, Vaccines Work,” the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) jointly call for renewed and unified national commitment to strengthen immunization and ensure every child is protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.

The theme highlights the power of vaccines in protecting individuals, families, and communities across generations. In this context, ensuring that every child receives the full course of vaccines as per the national immunization schedule remains essential to safeguarding child health, preventing disease outbreaks, and strengthening public health outcomes.

“Routine immunization is the foundation of a healthy nation,” said Dr. Musa Khan, Director General, Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). “Ensuring that every child receives all vaccines on time is critical not only for individual protection, but also for building resilient communities.”

In Pakistan, EPI provides protection against 13 vaccine-preventable diseases, including tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), pneumococcal disease, measles, rubella, and rotavirus diarrhea. While this represents significant progress in expanding access to life-saving vaccines, gaps in routine immunization coverage persist, particularly in underserved and high-risk areas, leaving some children unprotected.

Within this broader immunization effort, Pakistan continues to make progress towards polio eradication. With a more than 99.8% reduction in reported polio cases, from approximately 20,000 in the 1990s to just one case reported in 2026 to date, the country is closer than ever to interrupting transmission, demonstrating the effectiveness of vaccines in protecting children from preventable diseases.

“World Immunization Week underscores how sustained vaccination efforts have brought Pakistan closer than ever to ending polio and other preventable diseases,” said Ms. Ayesha Farooq, Prime Minister’s Focal Point for Polio. “However, the last mile requires continued support from every parent, caregiver, and community to ensure every child receives the polio vaccine alongside routine immunization, so they can grow up healthy, strong, and able to thrive.”

Through collaborative efforts, EPI and PEI continue to reach millions of children across the country through routine immunization services and nationwide polio campaigns, ensuring access to life-saving vaccines.

The programme urges parents and caregivers to complete their children’s routine immunization schedule and ensure polio vaccination during every campaign. They also call upon community leaders, religious scholars, civil society, and institutions to support vaccination teams in reaching every child.

Sustained commitment to immunization in all its forms will be critical to protecting children and building a healthier, more resilient Pakistan.

Note for the Editor:

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by poliovirus mainly affecting children under the age of five years. It invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis or even death. While there is no cure for polio, vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from this disease. Each time a child under the age of five is vaccinated, their protection against the virus is increased. Repeated immunisations have protected millions of children from polio, allowing almost all countries in the world to become polio-free, besides the two endemic countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

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