Highlights:
- WHO said Pakistan’s vaccination campaigns have protected more than 160 million children and 130 million mothers over the last 50 years.
- The agency said vaccines helped avert about 2.6 million child deaths in Pakistan and cut paralytic polio cases by 99.8 percent since 1994.
- The message comes ahead of World Immunization Week, which runs from April 24 to May 1.
Key Facts:
| Point | Detail |
| Pakistan’s vaccination reach | More than 160 million children protected |
| Maternal protection | Around 130 million mothers protected |
| Polio progress | Cases down 99.8 percent since 1994 |
| Routine immunization | More than 7 million children and 5.5 million women vaccinated each year |
Background:
A major public health milestone came into focus in Pakistan this week, with the World Health Organization saying vaccination campaigns have protected over 160 million children in Pakistan over the past 5 decades. The figure puts fresh attention on the scale of the country’s immunization work and the long-running effort to keep vaccine trust strong.
WHO shared the update ahead of World Immunization Week, which begins on April 24 and ends on May 1. The agency used the moment to underline how vaccines continue to prevent disease, reduce pressure on families, and save lives across Pakistan.
Pakistan launched its Expanded Program on Immunization in 1978, building on earlier success in eradicating smallpox. Since then, immunization has become a core part of the country’s public health system. WHO said the program has helped avert an estimated 2.6 million child deaths in Pakistan, while also reducing disease, disability, and hospital stays.
The progress on polio stands out. WHO said Pakistan has cut paralytic polio cases by 99.8 percent since 1994, falling from an estimated 20,000 cases each year to 31 cases in 2025. That drop remains one of the clearest signs of how sustained vaccination efforts can reshape public health over time.
WHO also said it helps immunize more than 7 million children and 5.5 million women in Pakistan every year against 13 vaccine-preventable diseases. In addition, around 45 million children receive polio vaccination through supplementary campaigns.
For WHO, the message is simple: vaccines continue to protect families, support health systems, and keep deadly diseases in check. In Pakistan, the numbers show how far the country has come, and how much depends on keeping that momentum alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many children have vaccines protected in Pakistan?
WHO said vaccination campaigns have protected more than 160 million children in Pakistan over the last five decades.
- How much has polio fallen in Pakistan?
WHO said paralytic polio cases have dropped by 99.8 percent since 1994, from about 20,000 a year to 31 cases in 2025.
- When is World Immunization Week?
WHO said it runs from April 24 to May 1.
