A major public health initiative led by UNICEF and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has successfully helped vaccinate 2.8 million children against polio in Pakistan, while also strengthening routine immunization services and health systems across the country.
The partnership focused on expanding access to life-saving vaccines, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach areas, where gaps in immunization continue to pose serious health risks for children.
Expanding Protection Against Polio
Through two national polio vaccination campaigns conducted in 2024, the initiative targeted children under the age of five across Pakistan. These campaigns played a critical role in preventing potential polio outbreaks and improving immunization coverage nationwide.
According to Pernille Ironside, the collaboration marked a significant step toward safeguarding children’s health.
“Children in Pakistan continue to face significant health risks due to gaps in immunization, especially in underserved and hard-to-reach areas,” she said. “With the support of KSrelief, we have expanded access to life-saving vaccines, strengthened immunization systems, and ensured that even the most vulnerable children are protected.”
Strengthening Health Infrastructure in Remote Regions
Beyond vaccination campaigns, the initiative also focused on improving healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.
To support reliable vaccine storage and distribution, UNICEF completed the solarization of five health facilities in the remote regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan.
Solar-powered systems help maintain the vaccine cold chain—ensuring that vaccines remain effective even in areas where electricity supply is unreliable. These improvements have strengthened overall health services in regions facing infrastructure and access challenges.
Training Health Workers to Improve Immunization Coverage
Another key component of the initiative involved strengthening immunization systems by investing in the healthcare workforce.
More than 200 health workers across Islamabad, Balochistan, and Sindh received specialized training at eight 24/7 birth-dose vaccination sites supported by KSrelief.
This training enhanced the ability of health professionals to:
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Provide timely vaccinations immediately after birth
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Improve follow-up care for newborns
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Identify and reduce the number of zero-dose and defaulter children
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Strengthen protection against vaccine-preventable diseases
Early Protection for Newborns
One of the most significant outcomes of the initiative was improved vaccination coverage among newborns.
Across the eight KSrelief-supported birth-dose sites, 90 percent of targeted newborns were successfully vaccinated against critical diseases including tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and polio.
Early vaccination ensures that babies receive immediate protection from life-threatening diseases and helps prevent outbreaks within communities.
A Strong Partnership for Child Health
The collaboration between UNICEF and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre highlights the importance of global partnerships in strengthening health systems and protecting vulnerable populations.
By improving vaccination coverage, strengthening health infrastructure, and training frontline health workers, the initiative is helping ensure that children across Pakistan receive essential protection from preventable diseases from their earliest moments of life.
With continued support from international partners, Pakistan’s efforts to expand immunization and eliminate polio can move closer to ensuring a healthier future for millions of children.
