Bringing Vaccines Back: Reviving Immunization in District Karak

For years, families in Union Council Jatta Ismail Khel, a remote area in District Karak, had no access to routine immunization services. Security challenges and the absence of an EPI Technician had left all the villages including Mami Khel, Shakar Khel, Sheikhan, Azad Banda, Dalan Sheikhan, Sangani, Cheshmai Banda, and Umar Khan Kalay without vaccines.

Outreach activities had stopped, awareness sessions were nonexistent, and communities had lost both trust and understanding of immunization. Insecurity caused by the presence of armed groups further limited movement, making the area one of the hardest to reach. As a result, thousands of children remained unvaccinated, leaving them vulnerable to preventable diseases.

When MERF took responsibility for the area, the goal was clear: restore immunization services and rebuild trust in one of the most neglected communities. A strategic intervention plan was developed focusing on accessibility, safety, and social mobilization.

Key actions undertaken included joint field visits by Community Outreach Workers (COWs) of MERF and Government EPI Technicians from nearby union councils, carried out under security escort to ensure safe access to target communities. To reach families in distant and isolated areas, mobile outreach sessions were organized, bringing vaccines directly to remote villages. Simultaneously, community engagement activities were conducted through SBCC sessions held in mosques, schools, and local gatherings, helping to raise awareness and build trust around immunization. Strong partnerships with local elders and community influencers further strengthened ownership and support for vaccination efforts. To maintain progress, follow-up visits were carried out to sustain immunization coverage and ensure that no child was left behind. The transformation was remarkable. What began as a district with zero vaccination coverage soon became an area where community elders now invite vaccinators each month to conduct sessions. Villages that were once considered inaccessible are now fully covered by routine immunization outreach.

Before MERF’s intervention, there was no EPI Technician posted at BHU Makori, and no outreach or fixed-site sessions had been conducted for months. The community had very low awareness about vaccines, and vaccination teams faced restricted access due to security risks. After the intervention, a dedicated MERF vaccinator was deployed to the health facility, and regular monthly outreach sessions were conducted. Community awareness improved significantly through continuous SBCC activities, and families began to actively participate in vaccination efforts. With the support of local elders and law enforcement agencies, safe access was granted for health teams to operate freely in the area.

Immunization services were successfully reintroduced in eight previously unreachable villages, marking a milestone in local health system recovery. Trust between the community and health workers grew stronger with every session, and community-led structures were established to support ongoing vaccination efforts.

The success in Jatta Ismail Khel stands as a powerful example of what collaboration, courage, and compassion can achieve. Despite security threats, lack of health staff, and difficult terrain, the coordinated efforts of MERF with support of Gavi, revived immunization services where they had long been absent.