PR No. 246 WORLD IMMUNIZATION WEEK BEING OBSERVED TO HIGHLIGHT TO CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF VACCINATION Immunization saves millions of lives worldwide and is one of the most successful and cost-effective health interventions. Islamabad: April 27, 2017

The world is celebrating World Immunization Week from April 24-30 with the aim to promote the use of vaccines to protect people against vaccine preventable diseases. The main goal of the celebration is to raise awareness among communities, parliamentarians, partners, stakeholders, media and line departments about the critical importance of immunization and its role in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

In 2016, under the global slogan “Close the immunization gap”, the campaign focused on immunization for all throughout life. This year’s slogan is “Vaccine Work”

The benefits of vaccination are still not fully capitalized in Pakistan. In Pakistan the World Immunization Week is celebrated to revive the pledge of making all children healthy by providing them with life saving vaccines against 10 vaccine preventable diseases. All partners, Pediatric Associations and civil society organizations, working on immunization, have joined hands with Federal and Provincial EPIs to arrange special programs, seminars and workshops during the week.

In statement to mark the occasion Minister National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar stated that Immunization is a right of every child. Government is fully committed to vaccinate all children not leaving a single child unvaccinated. Government is making all out efforts for increasing equitable coverage and protecting children against ten life- threatening diseases for which vaccination is available free of cost in the routine immunization schedule. However, it’s a collective responsibility that demands collective action on part of all stakeholders ranging from individuals to communities, civil society organizations to partner agencies donor community, line government departments and health workers. Together we can make a difference to protect each and every child and ensure health Pakistan.

The Secretary, Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination said Government of Pakistan in the past few years has been working very hard for strengthening equitable coverage of routine immunization and mitigating the challenges of disparities among the provinces. Investment in the cold chain and capacity building of health care providers and involvement of Lady Health Workers in routine immunization are some examples.

The Director General Health Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination, said that a strong immunisation system is an integral part of a well-functioning health system. Such events are an opportunity to re-in force the importance of immunization amongst the masses.

Dr. Syed Saqlain Ahmed Gilani, the National Program Manager while commenting on the importance of the world Immunization Week said that the programme is working relentlessly on improving the cold chain and supply chain management system by introducing new technology and thriving hard to addressing equity issues through expansion of immunization services.

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