Following a recent measles outbreak in Pakistan, International Medical Corps supported government efforts throughout the largest-ever vaccination drive in the history of Pakistan. In May 2014, we vaccinated 29,152 Afghan refugee children under 10 against measles in 3 volatile districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Province. Our teams (at fixed facilities and in outreach) are also raising awareness on prevention of this fast-spreading disease among a population of 100,000 refugees.
In 1999, International Medical Corps began supporting the World Health Organization’s Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) activities in Pakistan when we began operations in the country. Often in danger due to increasing attacks on vaccination teams, International Medical Corps’ health care providers and community health workers are continuing to provide primary health care support in KPK by running Basic Health Units (BHUs) and conducting vaccination campaigns in refugee camps. International Medical Corps continues to ensure routine vaccination of Afghan refugee children and mothers through our regular immunization programs currently in 4 refugee camps located in Peshawar, Swabi and Buner Districts of KPK Province. The success of the program can be seen from the absence of outbreaks in the districts we serve, despite sporadic outbreaks of measles all over the country.