WHO to Train 140,000 Health Workers in Pakistan for Major Vaccination Drive
October 31, 2025
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a large-scale partnership with the Government of Pakistan to train over 140,000 health workers for the upcoming nationwide measles and rubella (MR) vaccination campaign. The campaign, set to run from November 17 to 29, 2025, aims to protect 35.4 million children between the ages of six and 59 months.
🩺 Strengthening Pakistan’s Immunization Efforts
This national campaign will serve as a major boost to Pakistan’s routine immunization program, helping bridge immunity gaps that could put nearly 6.7 million children under five at risk of measles and rubella outbreaks in 2026.
The WHO emphasized that the initiative is critical to ensuring long-term health security for children across the country, particularly in districts identified as high-risk for infectious diseases.
💉 Polio Drops to Be Administered in High-Risk Areas
According to the WHO statement released on Thursday, children under five in selected districts will also receive oral polio drops during the same campaign. The effort will be conducted in collaboration with the Pakistan Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) and the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) — combining resources to reach every household.
This integrated approach aims to make the most of existing health networks and ensure that no child is left unvaccinated.
👩⚕️ Training 140,000 Frontline Workers
With financial and technical support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO is conducting comprehensive cascade training sessions for vaccinators, team assistants, and social mobilizers.
The training will equip health workers with essential knowledge on safe vaccine administration, community engagement, and cold chain management, ensuring a smooth and effective campaign across all provinces.
🌍 A Step Toward a Healthier Future
Health experts have praised the campaign as a landmark initiative for protecting millions of Pakistani children from preventable diseases. The WHO reiterated its commitment to supporting Pakistan in achieving universal immunization coverage and building stronger healthcare systems.
The upcoming MR campaign reflects Pakistan’s renewed focus on child health, disease prevention, and global health collaboration — setting the stage for a safer and healthier generation.
