The World Health Organization is partnering with the Government of Pakistan to train more than 140,000 health workers ahead of a nationwide MR vaccination campaign planned from 17 to 29 November 2025 to protect 35.4 million children aged 6 to 59 months.
The campaign will supplement routine immunization and address a growing immunity gap that, if unaddressed, could place over 6.7 million children under five at high risk of measles or rubella in 2026. The MR vaccination drive is intended to reach children who have been missed by regular services and to reduce the risk of large outbreaks next year.
In selected high-risk districts, teams will also administer polio drops to children under five in partnership with Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative. PEI teams will support the MR vaccination activities as part of enhanced collaboration between PEI and the Expanded Programme on Immunization at provincial and district levels.
With funding support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO is leading comprehensive cascade training sessions for vaccinators, team assistants and social mobilizers. Training is adapted for each role and covers quality microplanning, safe injection practices, community engagement and management of adverse events following immunization to ensure a safe and effective MR vaccination campaign.
WHO’s technical support includes guidance for campaign planning, data analysis, readiness assessments and monitoring and evaluation, delivered in close coordination with the Federal Directorate of Immunization and the EPI programme at federal and provincial levels to ensure consistent implementation across the country.
Measles and rubella remain a serious public health threat in Pakistan, with outbreaks reported in 432 Union Councils across 101 districts. Pakistan recorded an incidence of 80 measles cases per million in 2025, four times higher than the WHO threshold for large and disruptive outbreaks. More than 57% of the over 16,000 measles cases reported this year as of 30 September affected zero-dose children who had not received any routine measles vaccine.
“Protecting our children from vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and rubella is a national priority,” said Dr. Soofia Yunus, Director General of the Federal Directorate of Immunization. “This campaign is a massive undertaking to ensure a healthier, more resilient future for our nation. The Government of Pakistan is committed to reaching every child and preventing tragic deaths associated with complications due to measles.”
“The scientific evidence is clear: vaccines save lives and protect our children from life-threatening diseases like measles and rubella,” said WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr. Luo Dapeng. “WHO is proud to stand with Pakistan and its Federal Directorate of Immunization in this critical public health effort so that no child is left behind.”
