KARACHI: The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) celebrated the World Immunisation Week with a series of events aimed at promoting awareness and encouraging collective action for vaccination.
The World Immunisation Week (April 24 to 30) is a vital opportunity to highlight the life-saving power of vaccines and the critical role they play in protecting individuals and communities from preventable diseases.
The week was observed by the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health in collaboration with the Department of Pharmacy of the AKUH.
This year’s theme “Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible” underscores the unified efforts from healthcare providers, patients and the broader community in ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing immunisation services and the ongoing importance of it.
The first event to mark this week was led by the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health team led by Dr Fyezah Jehan, professor and chair, and Dr Ali Faisal Saleem, vice chair and associate professor.
The ceremony featured a symbolic cake cutting and a call to action for continued commitment to child health and immunisation advocacy.
“Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective public health interventions in human history. Through this week, we want to remind everyone, from healthcare workers to families, that timely immunisation saves lives and secures a healthier future for generations to come,” Dr Ali Faisal Saleem remarked during the event.
At the second event organised by the Community Health Centre (CHC) Pharmacy, Syed Shamim Raza, director of pharmacy, and Khairunnissa Hooda, chief nursing officer, underscored the need for playing an individual and community role in the immunisation efforts. The event was also attended by immunisation nurses — the unsung heroes at the forefront of safeguarding public health, along with some patients.
Speaking at the event, Syed Shamim Raza said that immunisation nurses worked tirelessly to protect the community, and this week honours their dedication.
“Alongside them, pharmacists — trusted advisors, educators, and advocates for vaccine access and safety — are essential to our public health response.
“Together, they uphold our collective responsibility to combat vaccine-preventable diseases and build healthier, more informed communities,” he said, adding that such events drew attention to the broader immunisation efforts at the hospital and served to appreciate the dedication of frontline healthcare teams.
The speakers hoped that the programmes would help inspire more people to understand the importance of vaccines in preventing illness and promoting overall community health.
Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2025