LAHORE – Punjab has recorded a remarkable increase in routine immunisation coverage, rising from 72 per cent to 88.6pc in just eight months.
According to the latest Punjab Health and Population survey 2025, Punjab’s coverage was found to be at 72 per cent in the last MICS survey in 2024.
Punjab’s Director Expanded Programme on Immunisation, Dr. Samra Khurram, who has led the programme, said, “This is not just a number — it represents thousands of children who are now better protected and communities that are safer. It’s mainly due to targeted strategies to close immunisation gaps, strengthen outreach, and improve monitoring mechanisms across the province.
“We have resurrected the trust in the immunisation system, expanded coverage in hard-to-reach areas, and empowered frontline health workers with the tools and training they need.”
The sharp increase is a direct response to the backsliding in immunisation observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when access to essential health services was disrupted.
Dr. Samra Khurram said, “Two rounds of big catch-up in the districts have been conducted recently, in October 2024 and February-March 2025, to vaccinate all due, defaulter and zero children. These rounds envisaged vaccination of children beyond two years, all children were given routine doses till five years of age.
Nearly 0.8 million children were tracked from available records and vaccinated. These two rounds of catch-up were our best shot at addressing gaps.”
She said that the credit goes to a strong political will. “It’s the ownership from the Chief Minister, Ms. Maryam Nawaz herself, that trickles down to all the team”.
