Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has urged a major shift in Pakistan’s immunization approach, advocating for a parent-led ‘pull’ system instead of the current ‘push’ strategy.
This declaration came during a high-level National Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) review assembly in Islamabad today. The meeting saw participation from provincial EPI officials, representatives from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad Capital Territory, and global health organizations including UNICEF, WHO, Gavi, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and several implementing partners.
Minister Kamal received detailed updates on nationwide vaccination progress and emphasized closing the divide between service provision and public understanding. He pressed for collaborative action at all governmental levels to achieve at least 95% immunization coverage.
The minister highlighted the need for a fundamental change, urging a transition to a system where families actively seek vaccination services. He envisioned a future where preventative healthcare becomes a social standard. Kamal stressed that the objective is not just to increase immunization activities but to lessen the disease load and create a healthier populace.
He championed a move away from a ‘sick care system’ to a true healthcare system focused on prevention. Representatives from international organizations reiterated their support for Pakistan’s public health and immunization objectives. The conference ended with a shared commitment to create a vaccination environment where public trust and demand for vaccines underpin the nation’s disease prevention plan, ensuring protection for every child.