ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has raised concerns over the limited impact of vaccine awareness campaigns despite the spending of millions of dollars, saying negative public perceptions about vaccination remain largely unchanged.
The remarks came during a high level meeting chaired by the minister to review the expenditures and effectiveness of ongoing immunisation awareness initiatives. The meeting was attended by senior health officials, including the federal secretary for health, the director general health and the director general of the Federal Directorate of Immunization.
The health minister expressed dissatisfaction that large scale investments, including those supported by UNICEF, have not translated into a meaningful reduction in vaccine hesitancy.
He noted that despite significant funding, negative attitudes towards vaccines continue to persist, which he termed a matter of concern for public health authorities.
The minister said the core objective of awareness campaigns was to reduce vaccine refusal rates and promote positive attitudes towards immunisation, but acknowledged that the desired outcomes had not been achieved so far.
He stressed the need to effectively counter misinformation and negative propaganda surrounding vaccines in order to rebuild public trust.
According to him, funds spent in the name of Pakistan carry a responsibility and must be utilised in a transparent and effective manner.
He emphasised that ensuring accountability and measurable outcomes should remain a priority for the government and the Ministry of Health.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing efforts to improve public health communication, with the minister directing authorities to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at restoring confidence in vaccination. He called for a shift from discussions to results driven actions, adding that multiple meetings had already been held on the issue.
Reiterating the broader public health objective, the minister said the primary goal of healthcare systems is to protect people from preventable diseases, and noted that the government remains committed to strengthening immunisation efforts across the country.
Officials said the ministry would focus on improving transparency, strengthening communication strategies and ensuring more effective utilisation of resources to address vaccine hesitancy and improve immunisation coverage.
