WHO and Gavi Distribute Over 800 Motorbikes to Boost Vaccination Efforts in Pakistan’s Hard-to-Reach Areas
In an effort to strengthen immunization coverage in Pakistan, the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has distributed more than 800 motorbikes to bolster the nationwide Expanded Programme on Immunization. This initiative targets 65 high-priority districts, improving outreach to millions of people living in remote or underserved communities.
The motorbike allocation plan includes 300 vehicles for 21 districts in Sindh, 200 for 10 districts in Punjab, and 108 for 24 districts in Balochistan. Additional distributions include 80 motorbikes for 4 districts in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, 80 for 2 districts in Islamabad, and 60 for 4 districts in Gilgit Baltistan. This distribution is designed to aid vaccinators in accessing areas with high concentrations of children who have never received immunizations (referred to as “zero-dose” children) or those who are under-immunized.
Since March, the handover of these motorbikes has been taking place across the country, enabling vaccinators to serve vulnerable populations more effectively. The initiative is guided by localized micro-plans developed with technical support from WHO at the union council level. These plans aim to identify and overcome barriers to equitable vaccine access, ensuring that no child is left behind.
Emphasizing the importance of this support, Dr. Dapeng Luo, WHO Representative in Pakistan, stated, “These motorbikes aim to support the vaccinators who work tirelessly to reach the most vulnerable, wherever they are. Every 10 seconds vaccination saves a life. Since the foundation of the Pakistan Expanded Programme on Immunization in 1978 in partnership with WHO, vaccines have saved and protected millions of lives in Pakistan. WHO will continue to support Pakistan to protect every child with lifesaving vaccines, including those in hard-to-reach areas.”
As part of its longstanding, seven-decade partnership with Pakistan, WHO continues to back the Expanded Programme on Immunization, which annually ensures that over 7 million children and 5 million mothers receive life-saving vaccines. The provision of these motorbikes marks a significant step in bridging immunization gaps and advancing health equity across the country.
