Pakistan Marks World Immunization Week 2025 with Nationwide Campaign for Vaccine Equity

"Public-Private Partnerships Boost Free Vaccine Access in Pakistan"

By DTD- On May 1, 2025

Islamabad, 1st May 2025 — Pakistan kicked off World Immunization Week 2025 with a comprehensive nationwide drive aimed at promoting vaccine equity and ensuring all children have access to life-saving vaccines. Led by the Dopasi Foundation in partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, and the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI), the campaign highlighted the importance of immunization and tackled barriers preventing access to vaccines.

Under the theme “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible,” the campaign focused on raising awareness and driving community engagement. In Islamabad, the Dopasi Foundation introduced Tikoo Buddy, a fun vaccination mascot, at the Run and Ride Event in F-9 Park. The mascot played a central role in educating families and engaging children about the importance of routine immunization.

In Balochistan, the campaign took a different approach, utilizing a Rickshaw Awareness Drive to spread vaccination messages through city-wide branding and community events. These efforts aimed to reach families where they live and work, promoting vaccination in culturally familiar settings. Local health workers and community leaders played an instrumental role in the advocacy initiatives.

Ms. Kinz ul Eman, CEO of Dopasi Foundation, emphasized the critical need for vaccination access across Pakistan, stating, “Vaccines are not just doses of protection; they are promises of a healthier, brighter future. Too many children remain unprotected due to gaps in access and awareness. That’s what we’re working to change.”

Thanks to public-private partnerships involving international organizations like Gavi and UNICEF, essential vaccines against diseases like measles, polio, HPV, tetanus, influenza, malaria, and RSV are being provided free of charge to the Pakistani government. These efforts are carried out through the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and supported by local organizations like Dopasi Foundation.

Despite these strides, challenges like vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and healthcare disparities persist. In 2023, over 22 million children worldwide missed their first measles vaccine dose, underscoring the continued need for outreach efforts.

Dopasi Foundation remains committed to addressing these challenges, combining global support with localized efforts to ensure that no child is left behind in the fight against preventable diseases. World Immunization Week 2025 serves as both a celebration of progress and a call to action for a vaccine-protected future for every child in Pakistan.