Vaccination: A Shield for Childhood
Health: Vaccination is a pivotal defence
against preventable diseases in children.
By safely stimulating the immune
system,
vaccines
have
drastically
curtailed the prevalence of numerous
critical illnesses. The initial 1,000 days of
a child’s life present a crucial window to
establish a robust foundation for future
growth, with neurodevelopmental changes offering a unique opportunity for positive
influence. During this vital period, a series of five visits in the first year and one in the second
are essential to complete the immunization schedule against twelve significant diseases. Such
proactive health measures have demonstrated substantial returns, both in preventing stunting
and in fostering sustainable economic and social growth in Pakistan.
Collaborative Health and Nutrition Efforts: Women Empowerment Pakistan (WEP) has been
instrumental in aligning efforts with the health department and district administration to
enhance routine vaccination and national immunization drives (NIDs). WEP’s district leaders
actively participate in District Polio Eradication Committee (DPEC) meetings, working in
tandem with the district health department’s immunization focal point, WHO staff, and other
key stakeholders. This collaboration ensures comprehensive vaccination coverage, especially
in regions beyond the reach of Lady Health Workers (LHWs), through dedicated outreach
workers and community support groups.
Empowering Community Health Workers: WEP has effectively integrated Community Health
Workers (CHWs) with the health department, providing them with specialized training for
immunization services. These CHWs engage in meticulous micro-planning and area mapping
to facilitate door-to-door vaccination for targeted children. Joint training sessions for LHWs
and CHWs underscore WEP’s commitment to enhancing immunization services.
Establishing a Robust Referral Mechanism: A testament to WEP’s proactive engagement in
the national immunization agenda is the establishment of a structured child referral
mechanism for vaccinations within project intervention areas. This system ensures that
children under the AAP-H Project for the period 2022-23 receive timely immunizations,
reflecting WEP’s dedication to child health and immunization.
