LAHORE  -   Punjab has recorded a remarkable increase in routine immunisation coverage, rising from 72pc to 88.6pcin just eight months, as per findings of latest Punjab Health and Polulation survey 2025. This unprecedented progress marks a significant recovery from the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and reaffirms the Chief Minister Ms. Maryam Nawaz commitment to protecting every child against vaccine-preventable diseases. Punjab’s coverage was found to be at 72 per cent in the last MICS survey in 2024. The turnaround was made possible by a number of new  initiatives by the Punjab Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), Punjab’s Director Expanded Programme on Immunization 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.  Samra Khurram said, “Two rounds of Big Catch up in the districts have been conducted recently, in October 2024 and Feb-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 record and vaccinated.  These two rounds of Catch Up  were  our best shot at addressing gaps. “ In the last 8 months, the disease surveillance system has been revamped with  VPD Surveillance Units being set up at all the 40 public sector hospitals. Teaching Hospitals of the province for the first time are detecting outbreaks and identification of unvaccinated pockets.  Punjab opened more than 400 new EPI centers in last one year under Public Private Partnership. With the support of WHO as many 11 new centre with prefabricated centers have been set up in UCs without health facilities and 200 new motorcycles have been given to vaccinators in 10 priority districts. For the first time ever, in the 36 districts,  2000 top performing perfvaccinators have been provided rewards and prizes.

The rural (88.4) and urban (88.7) disparities have reduced to negligible levels.

Dr. Samra Khurram 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 team. Minister for Health and Polulation Department Khawaja Imran Nazir has provided immense support  at every level. Secretary H&P Ms. Nadia Saquib’s overwhelming support and oversight has been at the heart of every initiative.