Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho chairs Provincial Steering Committee meeting to review Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign starting November 17
Adnan Athar
Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho chairs Provincial Steering Committee meeting to review Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign starting November 17
12,732 Measles-Rubella cases reported nationwide, 4,000 in Sindh; Karachi, Tharparkar, and Khairpur declared hotspots
Over 8 million children to be vaccinated by 6,000 teams; strict monitoring and stronger awareness drive ordered,Dr. Azra Pechuho
DHOs told to update micro plans, expand vaccination centers, and ensure proper waste disposal and hygiene,Dr. Azra Pechuho
Public awareness to be intensified; misinformation won’t be tolerated, cybercrime action ordered against fake news,Dr. Azra Pechuho to DG Information
Karachi The Sindh Minister for Health and Population Welfare, Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, chaired the first meeting of the Provincial Steering Committee to review preparations for the Measles and Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign, scheduled to be conducted across the province from November 17 to 29, 2025.
The meeting reviewed the strategy and progress of the upcoming campaign in detail. Dr. Pechuho issued strict directivesthat no negligence would be tolerated during the campaign and that every aspect must be closely monitored.
Senior officials from EPI Sindh, the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG), the Directorate of Nursing, PPHI Sindh, the Directorate General of Information Department, the Pakistan Pediatric Association, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the HELP Foundation attended the meeting.
The Minister was briefed that the provincewide MR vaccination drive would formally begin on November 17, during which polio drops would also be administered in selected districts. Officials informed the meeting that 12,732 measles and rubella cases had been reported nationwide this year, while Sindh accounted for 4,000 cases, with Karachi, Tharparkar, and Khairpur being the most affected districts.
Dr. Pechuho announced that 8.2 million children would be vaccinated during the drive, for which 6,000 teams had been constituted. Each vaccinator will target over 50 children per day. She emphasized that improving campaign quality, preventing fake entries, monitoring refusal cases, and strengthening public awareness efforts are essential responsibilities of all concerned.
The Minister directed strict monitoring of vaccinators’ locations and working hours, ensuring that all hospitals are taken on board and pediatric specialists are engaged to safeguard children’s health and safety. She further instructed that civil society organizations, associations, and stakeholders must submit their reports by November 1.
Dr. Pechuho underscored that private schools must fully cooperate, warning that action would be taken against non-compliant institutions, as this campaign concerns the health and future of children and the nation. She declared that measles and rubella vaccination has been made mandatory, and parents are legally bound to have their children vaccinated—failure to do so will result in legal action.
The Minister directed Director General Information Department Moiz Pirzada to launch an extensive public awareness campaign so that every parent understands the importance of this vaccination. She stressed that the message “Every Child Deserves Protection Through Vaccination” should be widely disseminated through all media channels.
Dr. Pechuho warned that no misinformation or rumors would be tolerated, and those spreading false news on social or mainstream media would face action under cybercrime laws.
She instructed all District Health Officers (DHOs) to update their micro-plans, increase the number of fixed and outreach centers, and ensure proper waste disposal and hygiene standards.
Officials also briefed the Minister that 140 new vaccinators have been hired on a performance basis to support the campaign. Vaccinations will be administered through health facilities, school outreach, community outreach, and mobile teams.
Dr. Pechuho further directed that letters be sent to all relevant departments regarding security arrangements, adding that Police, Rescue 1122, and the Home Department will provide full support to ensure the safety of vaccination teams.
Emphasizing the sustainability of such initiatives, the Minister said:
“This campaign must continue every year so that no child in Sindh remains unvaccinated. The government is determined to protect every child against measles and rubella.”
She added that private school associations will be engaged through the Education and Health Departments for consultations, while awareness sessions will be organized in collaboration with UNICEF and partner organizations to educate parents about the importance of this campaign.
Dr. Pechuho concluded by calling the MR vaccination drive a national responsibility, reaffirming that the Sindh Government will take independent and decisive measures to ensure every child in the province receives life-saving immunization.
