Despite spending billions of rupees annually on its national immunisation efforts, Pakistan has yet to achieve full vaccine coverage for children, according to the latest official data.
The Director General of Immunization, Dr. Sofia, noted that while progress has been made, the goal of 100 percent coverage remains unmet—not just in Pakistan, but globally. She pointed out that the national average has improved significantly in recent years, rising from around 54 percent to much higher levels, with a target now set above 95 percent.
Current figures show that Islamabad and Punjab are leading, each with about 90 percent vaccine coverage. Sindh follows at 84 percent, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 79 percent, while Balochistan remains the most behind with only 54 percent coverage.
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Dr. Rashida Syed, Islamabad’s District Health Officer, credited the capital’s strong performance to consistent campaigns and solid government backing. She expressed hope that with continued dedication, full coverage would eventually be achieved.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Mukhtar Bharath, acknowledged Punjab’s near-target performance but emphasised the urgent need for focused work in provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
He added that Sindh was making visible progress but stressed that unless all provinces reach at least 90 percent, controlling preventable diseases would remain a challenge.