ISLAMABAD, Dec 15: Health Minister Mohammad Nasir Khan has invited private sector to invest in the production of different vaccines to protect masses from preventable diseases.

He made these comments after a visit to a private manufacturing unit which produced different vaccines and pharmaceutical items.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said these diseases had tremendous social and economic impact, resulting in unnecessary suffering, hospitalizations and premature deaths among children.

Vaccine-preventable diseases, including hepatitis, influenza, tetanus, measles and rubella also affect adults, often resulting in loss of work and poor health, he said.

Mr Khan said finding new ways to prevent such ailments was therefore an urgent need. Mobilizing private sector resources in the country is one-way to ensure availability of the necessary life saving vaccines, he added. -APP