How much Pakistan spends on polio and other vaccine preventable diseases?
M. Waqar Bhatti:
Islamabad: Pakistan is set to spend over $186.45 million (approximately PKR 52.2 billion) on polio eradication this year, primarily funded through a combination of loans from the Islamic Development Bank and grants from various international organizations and foreign governments, a senior official in the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) revealed.
This amount, covering vaccine procurement, operational costs, and communication efforts, continues the fight against polio across the country.PM launches week-long anti-polio drive in 115 districts
In comparison, Pakistan spends a relatively lesser amount on the immunization of children against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases through the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).
The projected budget for EPI in 2024 is $164 million, with GAVI providing $103 million, and the Government of Pakistan contributing $60 million. While combined spending on polio eradication and routine immunization reaches around $350 million (PKR 98 billion), there’s growing concern that this division in resources could be hampering progress on both fronts.
Despite this significant investment, Pakistan continues to witness alarming rates of deaths and disabilities from both polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Experts are increasingly suggesting that greater integration between the two programs—polio eradication and EPI—could streamline operations and resources, potentially accelerating the end of polio transmission while improving overall child health outcomes.
A PEI official noted that the loan from the Islamic Development Bank is being used primarily for vaccine purchases from China, Belgium, and Indonesia. Operational costs, including communication and logistical support, are managed by international partners like WHO and UNICEF.
He also highlighted that over 350,000 vaccinators are employed for six to eight polio campaigns annually, with a large portion of the budget devoted to special campaigns using the fractional Injectable Polio Vaccine (fIPV).
The financial backing for polio eradication includes significant contributions from global players such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ($35.85 million), Rotary International ($41.08 million), and the governments of Canada ($19.89 million) and the UK’s FCDO ($18.55 million).
At the current exchange rate of PKR 280 per USD, this total funding of $186.45 million translates to approximately PKR 52.2 billion.
In contrast, the lower investment in routine immunization raises questions about whether a stronger, more integrated approach to both polio and EPI could lead to faster eradication. Strengthening EPI to prevent the spread of other vaccine-preventable diseases could potentially protect children with reduced immunity—one of the key risk factors for contracting polio.
Ayesha Raza Farooq, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Polio Eradication, emphasized during a media briefing that the poliovirus is still crippling and killing children across 71 districts, mainly due to cross-border transmission and the repatriation of unregistered foreigners, which leaves many children unvaccinated.
She pointed out that vaccine hesitancy and low routine immunization rates continue to hamper eradication efforts, suggesting that greater focus on building trust through improved routine immunization could enhance polio campaigns.
As the government works toward interrupting transmission by mid-2025, a strategic roadmap supported by provincial authorities aims to integrate polio campaigns with stronger routine immunization efforts and intensified public awareness initiatives.
Experts believe that by bringing these programs together, Pakistan can not only address polio but also prevent the broader rise of other vaccine-preventable diseases, saving more lives and resources in the long term.
Despite these challenges, there is hope that with continued international support, better integration of resources, and a unified national approach, Pakistan can finally eradicate polio and secure a healthier future for its children.
