Pakistan Pediatric association Calls for Strengthened Immunization Programs to combat Polio and childhood Diseases
Peshawar, Pakistan – September 28, 2025 – The Pakistan Paediatrics Association (PPA) has issued a strong call for the reinforcement of routine immunization programs across the nation, aiming to protect children from a complete range of vaccine-preventable diseases, with a particular focus on the eradication of polio. The appeal came during a recent roundtable conference co-hosted by the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Khyber pakhtunkhwa and UNICEF.
Dr.Syed Bawar Shah, President of the PPA, emphasized the critical situation, noting that Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only two countries globally where the poliovirus continues to circulate. He lauded the increasing collaborative efforts between Pakistan and Afghanistan as a positive step towards achieving complete polio eradication. “Strengthening the Expanded Program on Immunisation (EPI) is paramount to ensuring the safety of all Pakistani children against preventable childhood illnesses,” Dr. Shah stated. The PPA has pledged its full support to initiatives addressing the ongoing challenges hindering polio eradication efforts.
The persistent Threat of Polio and the Importance of Immunization
Polio, a debilitating and potentially fatal disease, primarily affects children under five years of age. While significant progress has been made globally towards eradication, Pakistan faces ongoing hurdles due to factors including vaccine hesitancy, security concerns in certain regions, and logistical difficulties in reaching remote populations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of september 2025, Pakistan has reported[[Insert most recent official polio case count from WHO/Polio Global Eradication Initiative – This MUST be fact-checked and updated ]. This underscores the urgent need for sustained and intensified immunization campaigns.
The EPI, established in 1978, is Pakistan’s national immunization program. It currently offers vaccinations against nine vaccine-preventable diseases: polio,diphtheria,tetanus,pertussis (whooping cough),measles,mumps,rubella,Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib),and hepatitis B. Maintaining high immunization coverage rates is crucial not only for polio eradication but also for preventing outbreaks of these other hazardous diseases.
Challenges and Future Strategies
Despite the EPI’s successes, challenges remain. These include:
* Vaccine Hesitancy: Misinformation and distrust in vaccines continue to pose a significant obstacle.Community engagement and education initiatives are vital to address these concerns.
* Access to Remote Areas: Reaching children in geographically challenging and conflict-affected areas requires innovative strategies and robust logistical planning.
* Strengthening Surveillance: Effective surveillance systems are essential for detecting poliovirus circulation and responding rapidly to outbreaks.
* Cross-border Coordination: Continued collaboration with Afghanistan is crucial, given the cross-border transmission of the virus.
The PPA’s commitment to supporting polio eradication and strengthening routine immunization aligns with the national health priorities of pakistan and the global efforts led by the WHO, UNICEF, and other partners. Future strategies will likely focus on enhancing community involvement, improving vaccine supply chain management, and leveraging technological advancements to track immunization coverage and identify gaps in service delivery.
Sources:
* World health Organization (WHO) – Polio Global Eradication Initiative: https://polioeradication.org/ (Replace with direct link to Pakistan-specific data)
* UNICEF Pakistan: https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/
* Dawn: (Original Source)
* pakistan’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI): https://www.health.gov.pk/immunization (Verify link and content)
Note: Bracketed data marked with “[[Insert…]” must be replaced with current,verified data from authoritative sources before publication. Links should be checked for validity.