A vaccinator administering a routine immunization vaccine in Pakistan. Photo credit: WHO Pakistan.27 April 2025, Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan is commemorating World Immunization Week, held annually from 24 to 30 April, with a renewed pledge to promote the lifesaving power of vaccines and protect millions of people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Since the creation of Pakistan’s Expanded Programme on Immunization in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1978, millions of Pakistanis have been protected with lifesaving vaccines. Every year, Pakistan vaccinates over 7 million children with routine immunization doses, in addition to reaching 45 million children through multiple supplementary polio vaccination campaigns. In the last 50 years, vaccines have saved 154 million people around the world – the equivalent of 3 million a year, or 6 people every minute.

Under the international theme “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible”, the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI), in collaboration with all provincial Expanded Programmes on Immunization (EPIs), WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and partners – will conduct a series of awareness activities to remind people that vaccines are one of humanity's greatest achievements.

In his WIW 2025 message, Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal said that “the foundation of a healthy Pakistan lies in protecting our children from preventable diseases. We are taking steps to increase immunization coverage to ensure timely delivery of life-saving vaccines to every child. Each year, approximately 7 million children in Pakistan receive routine immunization services. Through our polio campaigns, we reach over 45 million children. It is a matter of concern that Pakistan remains among the few countries where the poliovirus is still present.”

The Minister further stated that “under the leadership of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, we remain committed to the complete eradication of polio. I am taking all possible measures to eliminate polio from across the country and to protect children from lifelong disability. We appeal to religious scholars, the media, and civil society to play their full and effective role in the fight against polio. A safe and secure future for our children is a shared responsibility of us all.”

"Vaccination is not just a health intervention, it is an investment in a healthier and more prosperous future," said FDI Director General Dr Shabana Saleem. "The EPI remains committed to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their location or circumstances, has access to lifesaving vaccines."

Pakistan provides free vaccination against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases in the EPI routine schedule.

WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng emphasized that WHO stands by Pakistan as it continues to reinforce its immunization programmes. “Vaccines are safe. Vaccines work. Vaccines save millions of lives. Since 1948, WHO has been partnering with Pakistan as a founding member of the Organization and will continue to do so. Since the creation, in partnership with WHO, of the Pakistan Expanded Programme of Immunization in 1978, we have worked together to protect and save the lives of millions of people. Every newborn deserves the benefit of these vaccines. Reaching every child is not only the right thing to do; it is the best investment to build a prosperous future for Pakistan. And it is humanly possible.”

About WHO

Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. We work with 194 Member States in 150+ locations – so everyone, everywhere, can attain the highest level of health. For more information, visit https://www.emro.who.int/countries/pak/index.html. Follow WHO Pakistan on Twitter and Facebook.

For additional information, please contact

Maryam Yunus, National Professional Officer, Communications, WHO Pakistan: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (copying This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

José Ignacio Martín Galán, Head of Communications, WHO Pakistan: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it