Pakistan says vaccine donors to phase out by 2030, plans local production

Pakistan could lose donor support for 13 essential vaccines by 2030, raising concerns over rising costs and potential public health strains unless domestic production is scaled up, the country’s health minister said on Monday.

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal told the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services that Pakistan currently spends between $350 million and $400 million annually on vaccines under a cost-sharing arrangement with donors, including the World Health Organization, GAVI, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, who cover roughly 49% of the bill.

By 2030, the government is expected to shoulder the full cost, potentially pushing annual spending to about USD 1.2 billion.

Kamal warned that a shortfall in vaccine supplies could leave large segments of the population unprotected and increase pressure on hospitals by 2032. He said the government is developing a long-term vaccine strategy focused on local manufacturing and has initiated discussions with international partners in China and Saudi Arabia.

Currently, Pakistan requires approximately 140 million vaccine doses each year. Kamal noted that achieving viable local production would require output of around 400 million doses annually. A Saudi delegation is scheduled to visit Islamabad on January 28 to advance talks on potential joint production.

In a related update, the country’s director general of health reported recent circulation of the H3N2 influenza strain, with 13.5% positivity among sampled patients over the past two to three months.

He added that existing influenza vaccines remain effective and that multiple advisories have been issued by the National Institute of Health.