Immunize Pakistan: Reaching the Unreached

Donor

Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance

Project Overview

Immunize Pakistan: Reaching the Unreached is a community-driven immunization initiative implemented by Dopasi Foundation to close equity gaps in routine immunization across Balochistan. The project focuses on zero-dose and under-immunized children living in hard-to-reach, underserved, and marginalized communities.

Through an integrated approach combining demand generation, service delivery, and system strengthening, the initiative works with communities, schools, Madaris, health workers, and government systems to improve trust, access, and uptake of life-saving vaccines.

Project Goal

To increase demand for routine immunization and improve service delivery in priority districts of Balochistan, with a specific focus on reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children.

The project aims to reach:

Up to 50% of zero-dose children, and
40% of under-immunized children
across priority districts including Bolan, Turbat, Lasbella, and Sherani, through targeted, community-driven strategies.

Project Coverage

The initiative is implemented across 47 Union Councils in selected districts of Balochistan, prioritizing hard-to-reach, low-coverage, and high-risk areas.

Approach & Implementation Framework

The project is built on three interconnected pillars that reinforce each other to deliver sustainable immunization outcomes.

1. System Strengthening

Strengthening systems and frontline workers is central to sustaining immunization gains.

Key focus areas include:

Training and capacity building of vaccinators, Lady Health Workers (LHWs), and community resource persons
Formation and activation of Immunization Action Committees (IACs) at district and Union Council levels
Development of robust, revised microplans to identify missed settlements, migratory populations, and high-risk groups
Regular district and UC-level review meetings to assess progress and address gaps
Improving coverage data quality, reporting, and follow-up mechanism

2. Demand Generation

The project prioritizes trust-building and culturally sensitive engagement to address hesitancy and misinformation.

Demand generation activities include:

Community awareness sessions tailored to local contexts
Engagement with local elders, religious leaders, influencers, and community gatekeepers
Active involvement of schools and Madaris to reach children from marginalized and traditionally missed populations
Immunization walks and community mobilization campaigns
Mosque announcements and megaphone messaging in local languages
Media and journalist engagements to amplify accurate immunization narratives
Use of culturally appropriate IEC materials to address social and religious concerns

3. Service Delivery

To overcome geographic and access barriers, the project strengthens last-mile service delivery.

Service delivery strategies include:

Outreach EPI sessions in hard-to-reach and low-immunity pockets
Deployment of mobile vaccination vans to far-flung and underserved areas
Regular monitoring and supervision of outreach and mobile teams
Use of a digital application to track vaccinations and support follow-up of zero-dose and under-immunized children

Achievements of the Project

Through its integrated approach, Dopasi Foundation has achieved the following under the Reaching the Unreached initiative in Balochistan:

Expanded equitable access to immunization services in remote, underserved, and hard-to-reach districts through targeted outreach and mobile strategies.
Strengthened community trust and acceptance of immunization by engaging local influencers, elders, religious leaders, and community gatekeepers.
Actively engaged schools and Madaris to reach children from marginalized and traditionally missed populations and to address cultural and religious concerns around vaccination.
Reached zero-dose and under-immunized children through sustained, community-led demand generation activities.
Supported government partners in updating microplans to identify missed settlements, migratory populations, and high-risk groups.
Enhanced demand generation through culturally appropriate IEC materials, school-based awareness sessions, and community dialogues.
Strengthened the capacity of vaccinators, LHWs, and community resource persons to communicate effectively with marginalized communities.
Contributed to improved tracking and follow-up of under-immunized and zero-dose children through community mobilization and digital tools.
Promoted gender-sensitive approaches by engaging mothers, caregivers, female teachers, and women community ambassadors to overcome sociocultural barriers.
Strengthened coordination and reporting through partnerships with FDI, EPI Balochistan, Gavi, WHO, and UNICEF.

Activities Conducted Under the Project

Formation and activation of Immunization Action Committees at district and UC levels
Revised microplanning across all intervention Union Councils
Training and capacity building of vaccinators and Lady Health Workers
Community mobilization through leaders, schools, Madaris, and local influencers
Immunization awareness walks and local advocacy initiatives
Outreach and mobile vaccination services in refusal pockets and hard-to-reach areas
Deployment of mobile vaccine vans for last-mile coverage
Digital tracking of vaccination status and follow-up

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Covered

This project contributes directly to the following SDGs:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Ensuring access to life-saving vaccines and strengthening immunization systems.
SDG 4: Quality Education
Leveraging schools and Madaris as platforms for awareness and social change.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
Promoting gender-sensitive engagement by empowering mothers, caregivers, and women community ambassadors.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Prioritizing zero-dose and under-immunized children from marginalized and hard-to-reach communities.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Strengthening collaboration with government bodies, UN agencies, civil society, and global partners.