WHO to train 140k Pakistani medics for measles, rubella drive
“WHO will support Pakistan to train 140,000 workers for a late-November MR campaign covering 35.4 million children.”
Key points
- WHO will support Pakistan to train 140,000 workers for a late-November MR campaign covering 35.4 million children.
- Training focuses on safe delivery, micro-planning and AEFI response, with polio drops added in high-risk areas.
- WHO warns measles remains a threat due to large immunity gaps.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it will help Pakistan train more than 140,000 health workers for a nationwide measles and rubella (MR) drive set for 17–29 November. The campaign aims to immunise about 35.4 million children aged 6–59 months, complementing routine vaccination to close immunity gaps.
According to WHO, teams—including vaccinators, assistants and social mobilisers—are undergoing cascade trainings backed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The curriculum covers micro-planning, safe injection practices, community engagement and management of adverse events following immunisation.
In high-risk districts, polio drops will also be given to under-five children in coordination with the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI). WHO noted its technical support spans planning, data analysis, readiness assessments and monitoring with Pakistan’s Federal Directorate of Immunisation and EPI at federal and provincial levels.
The agency flagged persistent measles risk: outbreaks have been reported across 101 districts, Pakistan recorded an incidence of 80 measles cases per million in 2025, and over half of the >16,000 cases by September involved zero-dose children. WHO warned that without aggressive catch-up, more than 6.7 million children could face heightened infection risk in 2026.
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