PESHAWAR – India has delayed the supply of vaccines to Pakistan procured through United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEP), sources in Pakistan’s Ministry of Health confirmed.
The delay involves more than 17mn vaccine doses purchased from the Serum Institute of India, valued at 27bn rupees. UNICEF covered 60% of the cost, while Pakistan paid the remaining 40%.
According to health ministry sources, Pakistan had formally requested UNICEF to arrange vaccine procurement. Acting on this request, UNICEF purchased the vaccines from India without initially disclosing the destination to the supplier.
Also Read: Polio cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rise to 11 after new case confirmed
The Indian company was scheduled to deliver the vaccines in early July but began delaying the shipment after learning the consignment was meant for Pakistan.
The UNICEF procurement includes BCG, pentavalent, pneumococcal, polio, typhoid, measles-rubella, and cholera vaccines. These vaccines form a critical part of Pakistan’s immunisation program for children and vulnerable populations. The order also covers specific quantities: over 3mn doses of the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis in children, more than 2mn doses of pentavalent vaccine, over 2mn injectable polio vaccines, and 1.45mn doses of pneumococcal vaccine.
Also Read: Polio virus detected in sewage samples across Pakistan
Additionally, the purchase includes 3.1mn doses for typhoid, 2.8mn doses for measles-rubella, and more than 3mn doses for cholera.
Officials said the Indian supplier’s delay tactics began after becoming aware of the vaccines’ destination. The situation has created concerns within Pakistan’s health sector, as the delivery of these vaccines is essential for ongoing nationwide immunisation campaigns. The Ministry of Health continues to coordinate with UNICEF to address the disruption and ensure timely supply.
The Serum Institute of India is one of the largest global producers of vaccines and a regular supplier for UNICEF’s international immunisation programs. However, sources say that in this instance, the political context has affected the agreed delivery schedule.
Also Read: India delays vaccine supply to Pakistan through UNICEF
Pakistan’s Expanded Programme on Immunization relies heavily on vaccines sourced through UNICEF to maintain coverage against preventable diseases. Health experts warn that prolonged delays could impact vaccination targets, especially in remote and underserved areas.
UNICEF has not yet issued a formal statement on the delivery delay, but internal communications indicate that the agency is engaging with the supplier to resolve the issue. The Ministry of Health in Pakistan is monitoring the situation and exploring alternative measures to secure vaccine availability if the delay persists.
