Sindh Minister for Health and Population Welfare Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho on Tuesday inaugurated World Immunization Week 2026 at SMB Fatima Jinnah Government School, reaffirming the government’s commitment to expanding life-saving vaccination services across the province.
Officials said the provincial-level event was attended by government representatives, international partners and civil society members, signalling renewed efforts to strengthen immunisation coverage in all districts of Sindh.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Pechuho said immunisation is not just a medical necessity but a fundamental right of every child. “Vaccines are our strongest shield against disability and death. Our mission is to ensure that every child in Sindh—whether living in high-rise buildings in Karachi or in remote villages of Tharparkar—is protected from preventable diseases,” she said.
She noted that under her leadership, the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Sindh has made significant progress. Routine immunisation coverage has reached 80%, while Penta-1 coverage has exceeded 95%, reflecting strong parental trust at the start of the vaccination schedule. BCG coverage has surpassed 90%, and vaccination services are now accessible to 91% of Sindh’s population.
Dr Pechuho highlighted that the Sindh government has introduced innovative strategies to reach “zero-dose” children—those who have not received a single vaccine. These include ensuring birth doses immediately after delivery at major hospitals and extending vaccination centre hours to evenings and weekends to accommodate working parents. She added that child nutrition is also being prioritised alongside immunisation.
On the occasion, the minister announced a province-wide polio booster campaign scheduled from May 11 to May 24, 2026, urging schools, community leaders and parents to actively support the initiative. She also expressed appreciation for Zindagi Trust and its founder Shehzad Roy for promoting health awareness through the education system, as well as for international partners and the field teams of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Sindh.
She reminded the public that all vaccines are provided free of cost by the government, stressing that parents and guardians must ensure their children are vaccinated. “Together, we can eliminate measles, polio and pneumonia from our land,” she said.
