Pakistan has announced plans to locally develop a polio vaccine in collaboration with UNICEF, aiming to strengthen its fight against the virus. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Health, has appealed for UNICEF’s support in this initiative.
During a meeting between Dr. Bharath and UNICEF’s Supply Chain Division Director, both parties discussed health sector collaboration and polio vaccine procurement. UNICEF pledged to ensure an uninterrupted supply of polio vaccines and offered assistance in local vaccine development.
Dr. Bharath emphasized that producing vaccines locally would not only meet Pakistan’s vaccine demand but also reduce pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. He further highlighted the government’s commitment to boosting exports as part of the Prime Minister’s vision.
Pakistan has recently seen a surge in polio cases. Along with Afghanistan, it remains one of the only two countries in the world where the poliovirus is still present as of 2024.
