Over Six Pakistani Children Miss Routine Vaccinations: PMA
News Desk
Islamabad: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has urged the government to treat routine immunization as a national priority, warning that more than 651,000 children across the country have not received a single routine vaccine, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases.
In a statement, the PMA said weaknesses in Pakistan’s immunization system have become a serious public health concern, increasing the risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses.
The association called for the immediate identification and vaccination of all zero-dose children—those who have not received any routine immunization, while stressing the need to strengthen the country’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).
The PMA also demanded a comprehensive audit of EPI funds and called for accountability in cases of alleged financial irregularities to improve transparency and the effectiveness of immunization efforts.
It further urged authorities to ensure timely salaries, adequate training and enhanced security for frontline vaccination workers, saying a stronger and better-supported workforce is essential to improving immunization coverage.
The association emphasized that protecting children through routine vaccination should be regarded as a matter of national importance to prevent future outbreaks and safeguard public health.
The association emphasized that protecting children through routine vaccination should be regarded as a matter of national importance to prevent future outbreaks and safeguard public health.
