Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal today urged Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to back Pakistan’s efforts to manufacture vaccines locally.

In a meeting with Gavi CEO Dr. Sania Nishtar, Kamal stressed that domestic vaccine development is crucial for the nation’s health security and sustainable vaccine access. He emphasized the need for reliable vaccine supplies for Pakistani children, unaffected by global politics, and asked Gavi to help secure vaccines from nations with dependable supply chains.

Kamal also highlighted Pakistan”s immediate need for the hexavalent vaccine and appealed to international vaccine authorities, including Gavi, to consider the country”s current financial challenges and ensure continued access to vital vaccines, especially during its efforts to eradicate polio.

Dr. Nishtar praised the progress of Pakistan”s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in areas such as coverage, monitoring, and planning. She acknowledged the importance of the points raised by Minister Kamal and assured that they would be carefully considered. Dr. Nishtar reaffirmed Gavi”s dedication to supporting vaccination efforts for Pakistani children, emphasizing the upcoming Gavi leap, which will prioritize the country”s needs.

The meeting ended with a reinforced commitment to joint efforts and a mutual dedication to safeguarding all Pakistani children from preventable diseases through sustained and equitable vaccination programs. Senior officials from the Ministry of National Health Services, representatives from WHO, UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, the Polio Program, and members of the Gavi delegation were also present.