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Cervical cancer

Pakistan Launches Historic HPV Vaccination Campaign to Eradicate Cervical Cancer

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Pakistan has launched its first nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, targeting girls aged 9 to 14 in Punjab, Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Islamabad. The campaign, launched in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and other global health partners, aims to reach nearly 13 million girls in the first phase. The vaccination program aligns with the World Health Assembly's Global Strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, which is currently the third most common cancer among women in Pakistan.

Key Takeaways:

  • The campaign targets girls aged 9 to 14, prioritizing those in schools, madaris, and public health facilities.
  • The aim is to reach nearly 13 million girls in the first phase, supporting Pakistan's shift towards preventive healthcare in line with global elimination goals.
  • Pakistan is a signatory to the 2018 WHA Resolution setting the 90-70-90 targets by 2030: 90% of girls vaccinated against HPV by age 15, 70% of women screened by age 35 and again by 45, and 90% of women with cervical disease receiving treatment or palliative care.
  • Cervical cancer affects over 5,000 women annually in Pakistan, with nearly 64% (3,200) dying due to late diagnosis and limited screening.
  • HPV is a group of over 200 related viruses, some of which are sexually transmitted and linked to various cancers, including cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers.
  • Cervical cancer is largely preventable, yet screening rates remain low, and most diagnoses occur late, contributing to one of the highest cervical cancer mortality rates in South Asia.
  • Pakistan is using CecolinA, a WHO-prequalified bivalent HPV vaccine targeting types 16 and 18, which cause about 70% of cervical cancers.
  • The vaccine is safe, effective, and recommended as a single dose for this age group, with most side effects being mild and preventable.
  • Pakistan's high disease burden, limited screening access, and now-available affordable vaccines make urgent local action essential.

Statistics:

  • Over 5,000 women are affected by cervical cancer annually in Pakistan.
  • Nearly 64% (3,200) of the deceased women died due to late diagnosis and limited screening.
  • Cervical cancer cases in Pakistan are projected to triple over the next 70 years without intervention.
  • Pakistan reported 4,700 to 4,800 new cervical cancer cases and around 3,000 deaths in 2023, with an age-standardised incidence of 5.4 per 100,000 women.
  • The HPV vaccine has been used safely worldwide for over a decade, including in many Muslim-majority countries.

Sources:

  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
  • Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi)
  • Jhpiego
  • Pakistan Ministry of Health
  • GLOBOCAN/IARC estimates (2023)
  • WHO study (2021-2023)
  • WHO pre-qualified HPV vaccine (CecolinA)

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