KP announces over 830 vaccinator jobs under EPI programme

Peshawar: The Health Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has announced more than 830 new vaccinator positions across various districts in the province, according to a notification reported on Monday.

The recruitment will be carried out under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) as part of efforts to strengthen routine vaccination services. As per the notification issued by the KP Director Health Services, the appointments will be made on a contract basis for the financial year 2025–26.

Officials said a total of Rs253.16 million has been allocated for the recruitment drive. Each selected vaccinator will receive a monthly salary of Rs40,000 after appointment.

The Health Department has instructed all District Health Officers to complete the hiring process at the earliest. Vacancies have already been identified at the district level, and recruitment will be conducted in accordance with the Initial Appointment Rules for Civil Servants 2026.

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Authorities said the initiative aims to improve immunization coverage in both urban and remote areas, where access to healthcare services remains limited. The expansion of EPI staff is expected to support ongoing vaccination campaigns, particularly in districts with low immunization rates.

The announcement comes amid continued concerns over vaccine-preventable diseases in the province. Earlier this month, two new polio cases were reported in Pakistan, raising the total number of cases this year to three.

According to sources from the National Institute of Health, the latest cases emerged from Bannu and North Waziristan. Health officials noted that vaccination campaigns in certain union councils of these districts remain difficult due to security challenges and restricted access for health teams.

The KP government has stated that increasing the number of vaccinators is part of its broader strategy to strengthen frontline health services and ensure that children across the province receive essential immunizations without interruption.