Rawalpindi: The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Punjab, in collaboration with UNICEF, organized a Media Orientation Session on Routine Immunization and the Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccination Campaign at a local hotel in Rawalpindi. The event aimed to engage media representatives in strengthening public awareness about immunization and the upcoming MR campaign. The session was chaired by Dr. Samra Khurram, Director EPI Punjab along with Dr. Ehsan Ghani, Chief Executive Officer DIstrict Health Authority Rawalpindi. Prominent speakers included Dr. Khurram Mubeen Khan, Immunization Officer UNICEF, Dr. Jawad , DHO-PS Rawalpindi, Dr. Asif, Divisional Officer WHO, Mr. Aqeel Sarfraz, SBC Consultant UNICEF also participated.
Addressing the participants, Samra Khurram urged the media personnel to play a proactive role in promoting routine immunization and supporting the upcoming MR campaign to ensure the protection of children from deadly diseases. She emphasized that public health campaigns rely heavily on information and awareness, and that media serves as a vital partner in achieving these goals. Dr. Samra Khurram briefed the media representatives on the key aspects of the EPI program and shared details of the Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign, scheduled to take place from November 17 to 29, 2025, across Punjab. She discussed the disease burden and the factors contributing to the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases, highlighting the importance of timely vaccination. She also shared the remarkable success of the HPV Vaccination Campaign, through which 6.7 million girls were vaccinated against cervical cancer across the province.
Dr. Khurram Mubeen Khan delivered an in-depth presentation on UNICEF’s role in the health sector of Punjab, outlining key initiatives taken to strengthen the EPI program and achieve one of the highest immunization coverage rates in the country. The workshop was moderated by Mr. Aqeel Sarfraz, SBC Consultant UNICEF, and witnessed active participation from senior journalists and health beat reporters of both national and regional media outlets. The participants engaged enthusiastically in the closing Q&A session, raising important questions about immunization challenges and communication strategies. Experts addressed their queries and appreciated their commitment to public health reporting.
