Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal discusses domestic production capacity, reduced import dependence and vaccine self-sufficiency with company delegation

Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal held a meeting with a delegation of AJ Vaccines, led by its Global Sales Director, Jens Ulrik Als, to explore potential cooperation in local vaccine production and manufacturing in Pakistan.

During the meeting, the minister briefed the delegation on Pakistan’s population of approximately 260 million, the challenges facing the country’s healthcare sector and the growing need to ensure a sustainable supply of vaccines.

He highlighted that the National Immunisation Programme provides children with 13 types of vaccines to protect them against various vaccine-preventable diseases. Ensuring the continued availability of these vaccines remains a key priority for the country’s public health system.

The discussions focused on opportunities to strengthen Pakistan’s domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity, reduce reliance on imported vaccines and develop local expertise in vaccine production. Both sides exchanged views on possible avenues for technical cooperation and collaboration to support the country’s immunisation requirements.

Local vaccine manufacturing is increasingly important for Pakistan as it seeks to strengthen health security, improve the sustainability of vaccine supplies and move towards greater self-reliance in the healthcare sector.

The engagement with AJ Vaccines forms part of broader efforts to explore international partnerships and access the technical expertise required to develop domestic production capabilities.

The proposed cooperation could support Pakistan’s long-term efforts to strengthen its vaccine manufacturing infrastructure and ensure a more sustainable supply of vaccines for its population.