Pakistan benefits as global vaccination catch-up drive gains pace

Pakistan is registering meaningful gains from the WHO and UNICEF-led global 'Big Catch-Up' vaccination initiative, a coordinated effort to restore immunisation coverage that fell sharply during the Covid-19 pandemic years. The programme targets children who missed scheduled vaccines, aiming to prevent a resurgence of preventable diseases.

Pakistan, which has historically faced immunisation challenges including low coverage in remote regions and persistent polio endemicity, has been identified as a priority country under the initiative. Health authorities report that the programme has helped administer vaccines to children who were previously unreached by routine immunisation services.

The global drive involves governments, international health agencies, and civil society organisations working to address the backlog of unvaccinated children created by pandemic-era disruptions to health systems. Pakistan's participation includes enhanced community outreach and deployment of mobile vaccination units in underserved areas.

Public health experts cautioned that while the progress is encouraging, sustained investment in routine immunisation infrastructure remains essential to prevent future coverage gaps. Officials indicated that the programme will continue through the current year with expanded geographic reach.