Islamabad: In a major boost to Pakistan’s immunization efforts, the World Health Organization (WHO), with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has provided over 800 motorbikes to the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to improve access in 65 high-priority districts across the country.
The motorbikes, distributed since March 2025, are aimed at enhancing the mobility of vaccinators in remote and underserved areas where large numbers of children remain either unvaccinated (zero-dose) or under-immunized. The initiative is expected to benefit approximately 32.5 million people, including some of Pakistan’s most vulnerable populations.
According to the allocation plan, 300 motorbikes have been designated for 21 districts in Sindh, 200 for 10 districts in Punjab, and 108 for 24 districts in Balochistan. Another 80 bikes have been assigned to four districts in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, 80 to two districts in Islamabad, and 60 to four districts in Gilgit-Baltistan.
“These motorbikes aim to support the vaccinators who work tirelessly to reach the most vulnerable, wherever they are. Every 10 seconds, vaccination saves a life,” said WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr. Dapeng Luo. “Since the foundation of the Pakistan Expanded Programme on Immunization in 1978, in partnership with WHO, vaccines have saved and protected millions of lives in Pakistan. WHO will continue to support Pakistan to protect every child with lifesaving vaccines, including those in hard-to-reach areas.”
The distribution is guided by micro-plans developed at the union council level with WHO’s technical assistance. These plans are designed to help health authorities identify and overcome equity gaps to ensure that no child is left behind.
As part of its ongoing seven-decade partnership with Pakistan, WHO continues to support the national immunization programme in delivering routine vaccines to more than 7 million children and 5 million mothers annually.