Measles kills 71 children nationwide in first four months of 2026

KARACHI: At least 71 children, including 40 in Sindh, have died of measles across Pakistan in the first four months of this year, highlighting persistent gaps in routine immunisation despite ongoing public awareness efforts during World Immunisation Week.

According to official data, Sindh reported the highest number of deaths, followed by Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 12 each, and Balochistan with four fatalities.

A total of 4,541 confirmed measles cases were recorded nationwide during the same period, with the highest caseload reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (1,712), followed by Punjab (1,198) and Sindh (1,183). Other cases were reported in Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Health officials attributed the outbreak partly to a large cohort of “zero-dose” children—those who have not received any vaccinations—formed during disruptions in healthcare access during the Covid-19 period. They said routine immunisation coverage gaps continue to fuel outbreaks in several districts, particularly in northern Sindh.

Officials from the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in Sindh said targeted strategies are being developed for high-risk districts, including Khairpur and surrounding areas, to improve vaccine coverage. They added that seasonal peaks also contribute to increased measles transmission.

Health authorities said efforts are underway to vaccinate unprotected children through outreach campaigns, including integration with anti-polio drives, which reportedly reach tens of thousands of previously unvaccinated children.

Despite government claims of increased funding and expanded vaccination staff, experts warn that vaccine hesitancy remains a major barrier. Pediatric health professionals stressed the need for stronger awareness campaigns and improved community engagement, particularly through female vaccinators to build trust.

Medical associations also raised concerns over the scale of the “zero-dose” crisis, estimating that over one million children in Pakistan remain unvaccinated. They noted that Pakistan continues to lag behind regional countries in immunisation coverage, with neighbouring nations achieving significantly higher vaccination rates.

Health experts have called for urgent reforms, including strengthening primary healthcare systems, expanding digital immunisation records, improving outreach in remote areas and exploring local vaccine production to reduce reliance on imports.

Officials cautioned that without sustained intervention, preventable diseases such as measles will continue to claim young lives despite the availability of free vaccines nationwide.