ISLAMABAD: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday announced a partnership with Pakistan to train more than 140,000 health workers for a nationwide measles and rubella vaccination drive scheduled from Nov. 17 to 29.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness causing fever, cough, runny nose and a red rash that can lead to serious complications in children. Rubella, also known as German measles, is a milder version but can cause severe birth defects if contracted during pregnancy.
The vaccination campaign aims to protect 35.4 million children aged six years to 59 months and address an immunity gap that could leave over 6.7 million children under the age of five years at high risk of infection next year.
“The scientific evidence is clear: vaccines save lives and protect our children from life-threatening diseases like measles and rubella,” WHO quoted their representative in Pakistan, Dr. Luo Dapeng, as saying.
“Together, we can prevent needless suffering and leave no child behind, no matter where they live or who they are.”
The training 140,000 health workers in microplanning, safe injection practices, community engagement and management of adverse events is being funded by global vaccine alliance Gavi through the WHO.
“In 2025, Pakistan registered an incidence rate of 80 measles cases per million, which is four times higher than the WHO threshold for measles outbreaks to be classified as ‘large and disruptive’,” the WHO noted.
It highlighted that over 57 percent of the more than 16,000 measles cases reported in 2025, as of Sept. 30, were among children who had never received a vaccine dose.
Dr. Soofia Yunus, director general of Pakistan’s Federal Directorate of Immunization, said that protecting children from these diseases was a “national priority.”
“This campaign is a massive undertaking to ensure a healthier, more resilient future for our nation,” WHO quoted her as saying.
“The Government of Pakistan is committed to reaching every child and preventing tragic deaths associated with complications due to measles.”
