Islamabad: The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has distributed over 800 motorbikes to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to improve outreach to under-immunised and zero-dose children in 65 high-priority districts.
The initiative aims to enhance the mobility of frontline vaccinators and expand vaccine coverage in remote and underserved communities across the country, collectively home to an estimated 32.5 million people.
As per the allocation plan, Sindh has received the largest share with 300 motorbikes for 21 districts, followed by Punjab with 200 for 10 districts, and Balochistan with 108 for 24 districts. In addition, 80 motorbikes have been dispatched to Pakistan-administered Kashmir, 80 to Islamabad, and 60 to Gilgit-Baltistan.
The handover process began in March 2025, with the vehicles progressively deployed to vaccinators working in areas with large populations of children who have never received a single vaccine dose or are under-immunised. The distribution follows the development of micro-plans at the union council level, with WHO’s technical assistance, to identify gaps in immunisation and ensure no child is left behind.
“These motorbikes aim to support the vaccinators who work tirelessly to reach the most vulnerable, wherever they are,” said Dr Dapeng Luo, WHO Representative in Pakistan. “Every 10 seconds, vaccination saves a life. Since the inception of Pakistan’s EPI in 1978, vaccines have protected millions of lives. WHO remains committed to supporting Pakistan in ensuring every child receives lifesaving vaccines.”
As part of a seven-decade partnership with Pakistan, WHO continues to back the national immunisation programme, which currently aims to reach over 7 million children and 5 million mothers annually with routine vaccines.
