WHO to train 140,000 Pakistani health workers for measles and rubella vaccination campaign

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that it is working with the government of Pakistan to train over 140,000 health workers for an upcoming national measles and rubella (MR) vaccination campaign aimed at protecting 35.4 million children aged 6 to 59 months.

The preventive action – scheduled for 17 to 29 November 2025 – will complement routine vaccination efforts and address an immunity gap that could otherwise put more than 6.7 million children under 5 at high risk of infection in 2026, according to a press statement issued by the WHO.

In selected high-risk areas, polio drops will also be given to children under five in partnership with the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI), whose teams will also support the measles and rubella campaign as part of a partnership between PEI and the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).

The statement added that with funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO-supported comprehensive training sessions are being held for health workers, including vaccinators, support groups and social mobilisers.

“Sessions are tailored for each group and cover aspects such as quality micro-design, safe injection practices, community involvement and the management of adverse events after vaccination (AEFI).”

WHO support to the campaign includes technical guidance for planning, data analysis, preparedness assessments and monitoring and evaluation, conducted in close coordination with Pakistan’s Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI) and its EPI program at the federal and provincial levels.

“Measles and rubella are a major public health threat in Pakistan, with cases reported in 432 Union Councils in 101 districts, WHO said.

According to the United Nations health agency, Pakistan recorded an incidence rate of 80 measles cases per million in 2025, which is four times higher than the WHO threshold for classifying measles outbreaks as large and troublesome.

“As of September 30, over 57% of the more than 16,000 measles cases reported in 2025 affected zero-dose children (children who have not received any routine measles vaccine), underscoring the urgent need to reach every child,” the WHO statement said.