Pakistan’s first-ever Model Immunization Center finally got functional as Punjab’s Health Ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique and Khawaja Imran Nazir with WHO’s Deputy WHO Representative in Pakistan Ms. Ellen Mpangananji Thom inaugurated the center at the Services Institute of Medical Sciences/Services Hospital here on Monday. Present on the occasion were Principal SIMS Professor Zohra Khanum,, Additional Director Expanded Program on Immunization Dr. Samra Khurram, WHO Technical Officers Dr. Yahya Gulzar and Dr. Imran Qureshi, UNICEF Immunization Officer Dr. Khurram Mobeen and senior officials from the health departments.
Minister for Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafique said, “The Model Immunization Center is first-of-a-kind initiative in the country in which all vaccination services are being made available under one roof. This is a collaborative initiative between the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department and the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department. I am grateful to WHO for providing technical and final support for transforming this initiative into a functional reality.”
Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department Khawaja Imran Nazir said, “The Model Immunization Center offers a comprehensive range of immunization services, including routine EPI vaccinations, emergency vaccinations (e.g., COVID-19, Rabies, Cholera), and vaccinations for international travelers (e.g., Polio, Yellow Fever) in compliance with the International Health Regulations (IHR). The center is staffed by highly qualified immunization personnel who work in close coordination with hospital, district, and provincial authorities under a multi-party collaborative framework.
Khawaja Imran Nazir further said, “The center not only caters to pregnant women and children of higher age group, but also provides vaccinations for outbreaks and emergencies. International travelers often faced problems getting mandatory vaccines like Polio (OPV/IPV) and Yellow Fever. We are planning to scale up services for provision of vaccines like Hep B and typhoid for all age groups especially those related to food industry.”
WHO’s Deputy Representative in Pakistan Ms. Ellen Mpangananji Thom said that vaccines have emerged as a cornerstone of public health, preventing the spread of deadly diseases and saving countless lives. She added that the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), an initiative launched by the World Health Organization in 1974, stands as a global endeavor to ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines for every child, regardless of their geographic location or socioeconomic status. She assured WHO support for Punjab Government’s ongoing efforts to enhance vaccination coverage in the province and hoped that this center will play a pivotal role in facilitating access to vaccines for individuals seeking immunization for various health reasons. The Model Immunization Center operates beyond working hours, ensuring that vaccines are available to all clients.