ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tarar on Thursday said that the government was making all out efforts for increasing equitable coverage and protecting children against ten life- threatening diseases for which vaccination is available free of cost in the routine immunization schedule. “Immunisation is a right of every child and the government is fully committed to vaccinate all children not leaving a single child unvaccinated,” she said a in a statement issued to mark the World Immunisation Week being celebrated from April 24 to 30 to promote the use of vaccines to protect people against vaccine-preventable diseases. “However, it’s a collective responsibility that demands collective action on part of all stakeholders ranging from individuals to communities, civil society organisations to partner agencies, government departments and health workers. Together we can make a difference to protect each and every child and ensure health Pakistan,” the minister said. The Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination secretary said that the government had been working very hard for strengthening equitable coverage of routine immunisation and mitigating the challenges of disparities among the provinces. “Investment in the cold chain and capacity building of healthcare providers and involvement of Lady Health Workers in routine immunisation are some examples,” he said. The Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination Health director general said: “A strong immunisation system is an integral part of a well-functioning health system. Such events are an opportunity to re-in force the importance of immunisation amongst the masses.” Commenting on the importance of the world Immunisation Week, National Programme Manager Dr Syed Saqlain Ahmed Gilani said: “The programme is working relentlessly on improving the cold chain and supply chain management system by introducing new technology and thriving hard to addressing equity issues through expansion of immunisation services.” The main goal of the celebration is to raise awareness among communities, parliamentarians, partners, stakeholders, media and line departments about the critical importance of immunisation and its role in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. In 2016, under the global slogan ‘Close the immunisation gap’, the campaign focused on immunisation for all throughout life. This year’s slogan is ‘Vaccine Works’. The benefits of vaccination are still not fully capitalised in Pakistan. In Pakistan, the World Immunisation Week is celebrated to revive the pledge of making all children healthy by providing them with life saving vaccines against 10 vaccine preventable diseases. All partners, pediatric associations and civil society organisations, working on immunisation, have joined hands with federal and provincial EPIs to arrange special programmes, seminars and workshops during the week.