EPI Sindh

EPI-Sindh Initiates Five-Year Supply Chain Continuous Improvement Plan (SCIP)!

Karachi | August 2026: The EPI Directorate, Sindh, in collaboration with the Federal Immunization Directorate, Islamabad, and UNICEF Country Office, has successfully completed the Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) Assessment conducted in June 2026.

Building on the assessment findings, EPI Sindh has initiated the development of a Five-Year Supply Chain Continuous Improvement Plan (SCIP) to address identified gaps and strengthen the immunization supply chain across Sindh.

The plan will provide a structured roadmap to improve supply chain efficiency, vaccine availability, cold chain performance, logistics, and continuity of immunization services, contributing to a stronger and more resilient immunization system.

*🇵🇰 79th Independence Day | 14 August 2026 🇵🇰*

EPI Sindh, Government of Sindh, proudly joins the nation in celebrating Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day.

*Under the leadership of Dr. Raj Kumar, Project Director EPI Sindh, and Dr. Sohail Sheik, Additional PD EPI Sindh,* we reaffirm our commitment to protecting every child through timely immunization and building a healthier Sindh and stronger Pakistan.

*💚 Protect Every Child | Vaccines Save Lives | Healthy Sindh, Stronger Pakistan*

*Pakistan Zindabad! 🇵🇰*

*EPI-Sindh | Virtual ISD Planning Meeting!*

The Virtual Integrated Service Delivery (ISD) Planning Meeting was successfully conducted with District EPI Focal Persons and District Health Management Team (DHMT) representatives.

The session focused on the ISD training layout, key planning components, quality microplan development, and selection of competent human resources to support effective implementation across 35 priority Union Councils (UCs) of Sindh.

The ISD activities are tentatively planned for the first week of September 2026.

*The meeting was supported by Dr. Arslan Memon(Deputy director EPI-Sindh), Mr. Aijaz Jamali, Dr. Uzair Farooq (Statistical Officer, EPI Sindh), and Dr. Amjad (M&E Officer, EPI Sindh).

*EPI-Sindh at RSV Webinar | Advancing Maternal & Infant Immunization!*

EPI-Sindh participated in the webinar *Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): The Evidence, The Stakes, The Action* organized by the Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Aga Khan University, on 13 August 2026.

The session highlighted emerging evidence on RSV disease burden in Pakistan, preliminary findings from the MIRNA study, and new approaches to protecting infants against severe RSV-associated lower respiratory tract illness.

The webinar also discussed maternal RSV vaccination during pregnancy and infant protection through maternally transferred antibodies, alongside the evolving evidence on RSV prevention strategies.

The worthy *Dr. Sohail Raza Shaikh, Additional Project Director, EPI-Sindh,* participated as a panelist, representing Sindh’s immunization perspective in this important scientific discussion.

*Continued engagement with evidence, research, and global immunization developments is essential for strengthening maternal and childhood immunization programmes and protecting children from vaccine-preventable and vaccine-preventable-related respiratory diseases.*

EPI Sindh Convenes Technical Working Group on HPV Vaccine Routinization

The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Sindh, in collaboration with Jhpiego, convened the Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting on HPV Vaccine Routinization on 10 August 2026 in Karachi.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Raj Kumar, Project Director EPI Sindh, and co-chaired by Dr. Sohail Raza Shaikh, Additional Project Director EPI Sindh.

Key discussions included:

* Review of the situational analysis and progress of HPV vaccination in Sindh, presented by Dr. Arslan Memon, Deputy Director EPI Sindh.
* Review of current HPV vaccination coverage, implementation gaps, and priority areas for strengthening routine delivery.
* Discussion on sustainable integration of HPV vaccination into Routine Immunization (RI).
* Strengthening inter-sectoral coordination, particularly with the Education sector, to support school-based vaccination and reach eligible girls.
* Identification of priority actions and coordination mechanisms for sustained HPV vaccine delivery.

The TWG brought together representatives from EPI partner organizations and key stakeholders, including WHO, UNICEF, AMAN, Indus Hospital, Vital, HELP, Acasus, PPHI, RMNCH, Education Department, Essa Laboratory, AKU, and other relevant partners.

The meeting reinforced a shared commitment to evidence-based planning, multisectoral coordination, and sustainable HPV vaccine routinization in Sindh, with a collective focus on improving coverage and ensuring equitable access for eligible girls.

*EPI-Sindh | Sukkur & Larkana Division Quarterly Review Meeting (Q1 & Q2 – 2026)*!

EPI-Sindh successfully conducted the Quarterly Review Meeting for Quarters 1 & 2 of 2026 on 24 July 2026 at Pakistan Club Inn, Sukkur.

The meeting was led by *the worthy Dr. Raj Kumar, Project Director EPI Sindh, and Dr. Sohail Raza Shaikh, Additional Project Director EPI Sindh & Dr.Arslan Deputy Director EPI sindh* with the participation of the EPI Sindh Core Team, District Health Officer (DHO-Sukkur), District Focal Person (DFP), vaccinators, and representatives from UNICEF, WHO, Gavi, BMGF, and other partner organizations.

The review focused on district-wise routine immunization performance during the first two quarters of 2026, highlighting achievements, identifying operational gaps and challenges, and agreeing on priority actions to strengthen routine immunization services and improve vaccination coverage across the Sukkur Division.

*EPI-Sindh and its partners remain committed to strengthening routine immunization and ensuring that every child is protected through equitable access to life-saving vaccines.*

*EPI-Sindh | Khuli Kachehri with Vaccinators – District Sukkur*!

EPI-Sindh, in collaboration with WHO, successfully organized a Khuli Kachehri with Vaccinators of District Sukkur at Pakistan Club Inn Hotel, Sukkur. The session was chaired by the worthy *Dr. Raj Kumar, Project Director EPI Sindh, and Dr. Sohail Ahmed Shaikh, Additional Project Director EPI Sindh.*

The event brought together representatives from WHO, Gavi, UNICEF and the EPI-Sindh Core Team, the District Health Officer (DHO) Sukkur, and vaccinators from across the district.

The interactive session provided a platform to review routine immunization performance, discuss operational challenges faced by frontline vaccinators, recognize their dedication, and identify practical solutions to further strengthen immunization services across District Sukkur.

*Together, EPI Sindh and its partners remain committed to supporting frontline health workers and ensuring that every child receives life-saving vaccines.*

*EPI-Sindh | Performance Evaluation (Khuli Kacheri) – District Hyderabad*!

EPI-Sindh successfully conducted the *Performance Evaluation (Khuli Kacheri) Meeting**for all vaccinators of District Hyderabad today at Indus Hotel, Hyderabad.

The meeting was held under the supervision of *Dr. Raj Kumar, Project Director EPI Sindh, and Dr. Sohail Raza Shaikh, Additional Project Director EPI Sindh,**along with Dr. Mukhtar Hussain Bhayo (WHO Sindh) and Dr. Arslan Memon (Deputy Director, EPI Sindh). The event was attended by the EPI Sindh Core Team, representatives from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, the District Health Officer Hyderabad, and vaccinators from across the district.

The session reviewed routine immunization performance, discussed key operational challenges, recognized outstanding achievements, and agreed on priority actions to further strengthen immunization services. High-performing vaccinators were presented with appreciation awards in recognition of their dedication and exceptional contributions to protecting children through routine immunization.

*Together, EPI Sindh and its partners remain committed to strengthening frontline immunization services and ensuring every child receives life-saving vaccines.*

*EPI-Sindh | SBA & Mirpurkhas Division EPI Review Meeting (Q1 & Q2 – 2026)!

EPI-Sindh, in collaboration with WHO Sindh, successfully conducted the SBA & Mirpurkhas Division EPI Review Meeting for Quarters 1 & 2 of 2026 under the leadership of *Dr. Raj Kumar, Project Director EPI Sindh, Dr. Sohail Raza Shaikh, Additional Project Director EPI Sindh, and Dr. Mukhtiar Hussain Bhayo, WHO Lead – Sindh.*

The meeting was attended by Dr. Arslan Memon, Deputy Project Director, EPI Sindh, District Health Officers (DHOs), District Focal Persons (DFPs) from SBA and Mirpurkhas Divisions, the EPI Sindh Core Team, and representatives from WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and partner organizations.

The review focused on district-wise routine immunization performance for the first two quarters of 2026, identified key achievements and operational challenges, and finalized priority actions to strengthen routine immunization services, improve vaccination coverage, and ensure that every missed child is reached.

*Together, EPI Sindh and its partners remain committed to delivering equitable, high-quality immunization services and protecting every child through life-saving vaccines.*