Awareness camps set up to commemorate Immunization Week

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 28th Apr, 2026) Awareness camps were established in the suburban union councils of Peshawar, including Maryamzai and Mattani here Tuesday with special focus on sensitizing communities about importance of vaccination in ensuring better health of mothers and children.

These camps are jointly organized by Integrated Community Development Initiatives (ICDI), Civil Society Human and Institutional Development Programme (CHIP) and Expanded Programme for Immunization (EPI).

This initiative has been taken in connection with observance of World Immunization Week starting from April 24 to 30, 2026 with focus on community healthcare and immunization awareness, says Durre Shawar, Chief Executive CHIP.

Two separate camps are set up one in Maryamzai and other in Mattani where staff of ICDI, CHIP and EPI are arranging community sessions for men and women.

During these camps, baby shows are also arranged for enjoyment of minor besides vaccinating children below the age of five.

Hygiene kits were distributed among 110 mothers who had their children vaccinated, while kits were also provided to those women who had completed the full vaccination course of their children.

ICDI District Coordinator, Subhanullah said that in collaboration with the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), CHIP and other medical organizations are regularly arranging various activities including vaccination, health camps, puppet shows, awareness sessions and media campaigns.

He said that special attention is being paid to vaccination in difficult and remote areas and due to the awareness campaign, people are moving towards vaccinating their children.

For this purpose, announcements through mobile microphones and door to door visits are also being taken to address community concerns.

According to health experts, the vaccination campaign is facing several challenges, including lack of awareness, misunderstandings in some areas, cultural barriers, difficulties in women’s movement, access to remote areas, and distrust in health workers in the past.

However, the ICDI and CHIP expert team is implementing a comprehensive strategy to address these issues, which includes effective awareness campaigns by engaging local elders and religious leaders, provision of door-to-door vaccination services, increasing the number of female health workers, establishment of mobile health units, and continuous community engagement.

Sports Gala are also organized in different parts of the country to improve the physical and mental health for the local communities.

Medical experts further suggested that measures such as providing accurate information through media and social platforms, school-level awareness programs, and incentives for those who complete vaccination can also yield positive results.

According to experts, such integrated measures will not only increase the vaccination rate but also play an important role in promoting a healthy lifestyle in the society.