The National Inter-Agency Coordination Committee (NICC) held a significant meeting today at the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (MoNHSR&C), chaired by Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on NHSR&C. The meeting, convened by the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI), brought together NICC members including EPI Managers from across Pakistan including senior level representatives from government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and international partners such as GAVI, WHO, UNICEF, Gates Foundation and CSOs to discuss the pressing issue of Measles and Rubella (MR) situation in Pakistan. The primary agenda of the meeting focused on the Measles-Rubella (MR) preventive campaign scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025. This proposal, presented by FDI, was based on the recommendations of the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), which provided evidence-based guidance on the campaign's necessity and scope. After thorough discussion the NICC gave its formal approval for a nationwide Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign targeting children aged 6-59 months across all provinces and federating areas of Pakistan. The campaign aims to prevent potential outbreaks in 2025-2026, as estimates suggest that over 6 million children under the age of five will be susceptible to Measles by the end of 2024. Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath emphasized the critical importance of this initiative in safeguarding Pakistan’s children from vaccine-preventable diseases, stating, "The approval of the Measles-Rubella campaign marks a significant step in our collective efforts to reduce the vulnerability of millions of children to potentially devastating diseases. This campaign will play a vital role in strengthening our national immunization program and enhancing public health outcomes. He further emphasized the importance of strengthening routine immunization services across the country." Mr. Nadeem Mahbub Federal Health Secretary on the occasion stated that “the approval of the Measles-Rubella campaign by the NICC is a critical milestone in our ongoing fight against vaccine-preventable diseases in Pakistan. We thank Gavi – The Vaccine Alliance for funding this campaign and their ongoing support for the strengthening of routine immunization. With over 6 million children under the age of five at risk of contracting Measles, this campaign is essential to safeguarding the health of our youngest and most vulnerable citizens. We are committed to working with our provincial and international partners to ensure that this campaign is implemented efficiently and reaches every child in need. Our collective action today will prevent future outbreaks and help secure a healthier future for Pakistan’s children." At the end Dr. Zafar Iqbal Channa, Director Technical, FDI thanked all participants and stated that “this meeting reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to combating vaccine-preventable diseases and to achieving high immunization coverage nationwide. With the NICC's endorsement, preparations for the campaign will begin immediately, focusing on ensuring all necessary resources and structures are in place by the fourth quarter of 2025.
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