Pakistan Launches Historic HPV Vaccination Campaign to Prevent Cervical Cancer
— August 30, 2025
ISLAMABAD (AIA) Pakistan is set to introduce its first-ever national HPV vaccination campaign, targeting 13 million girls aged 9 to 14 across Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. The campaign, scheduled from September 15 to 27, 2025, aims to prevent cervical cancer, which claims over 3,200 lives annually in Pakistan.
Key Highlights:
– Vaccine Details: A single-dose HPV vaccine will be administered to provide protection against cervical cancer.
– Collaboration: The campaign is supported by DOPASI Foundation, FDI, Gavi, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
– Target : 18 million girls are expected to be vaccinated over the next three years, with Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir as the initial focus areas.
– Importance: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Pakistan, with a mortality rate higher than breast cancer.
Expert Insights:
– Dr. Rozeena Khalid from WHO emphasizes that vaccinating adolescent girls is critical to reducing future cases.
– Dr. Farhaj Uddin highlights the importance of advocacy, communication, and community mobilization to address misconceptions and ensure vaccine access.
– Dr. Bilal Arshad underscores the decisive role of doctors in ensuring the campaign’s success.
This initiative marks a significant step towards protecting adolescent girls and preventing cervical cancer in Pakistan, making it the 150th country to introduce the HPV vaccine.