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MULTAN, Nov 08 (APP): The Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Punjab, in collaboration with UNICEF, organised a Media Orientation Session on routine immunisation and the upcoming Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign at a local hotel in Lahore on Saturday.
The session aimed to engage media representatives in raising public awareness about immunisation and the MR vaccination campaign, which will take place across the province.
The event was chaired by Dr Syed Muhammad Ali Mehdi, Director General of Health Services South Punjab, and Dr Samra Khurram, Director of EPI Punjab. Prominent speakers included Dr Khurram Mubeen Khan, Immunization Officer at UNICEF, Dr. Timoor Ahmed, DHO-PS Multan, Dr Shaukat Ali, Divisional Officer WHO, Aqeel Sarfraz, SBC Consultant at UNICEF, and Sajjad Hafeez, Communication Officer at WHO.
In his address, Dr Mehdi urged media persons to take an active role in promoting routine immunization and supporting the MR campaign to safeguard children from preventable diseases. He stressed the critical role of public health campaigns in spreading awareness, noting that the media is a vital partner in achieving these objectives.
Dr Samra Khurram provided an in-depth briefing on the key aspects of the EPI programme, highlighting the Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign, which is scheduled to take place from November 17 to 29, 2025 across Punjab. She also outlined the challenges posed by vaccine-preventable diseases, and the importance of timely vaccination to reduce their spread. Dr. Khurram also shared the success of the HPV Vaccination Campaign, which saw over 6.7 million girls vaccinated against cervical cancer across the province.
Dr Khurram Mubeen Khan delivered a detailed presentation on UNICEF’s role in the health sector of Punjab, highlighting its contributions to strengthening the EPI programme and helping achieve one of the highest immunization coverage rates in the country.
The session was moderated by Aqeel Sarfraz, SBC Consultant at UNICEF, and was participated by senior journalists and health reporters from both national and regional media outlets. During the Q&A session, participants raised important questions about immunization challenges and strategies for effective communication. The panel of experts addressed their queries and commended the media for their commitment to public health reporting.