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Vaccines

HPV Vaccination Campaign Faces Challenges in Rawalpindi District

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, which aims to immunize girls aged 9 to 14 years against cervical cancer, officially began in Rawalpindi district on September 15. The teams of District Health Authority (DHA) Rawalpindi faced challenges on the first day, including refusals and unavailability of girls, despite managing to vaccinate a total of 24,179 girls, achieving six per cent of the total campaign target. The campaign aims to vaccinate 395,609 girls across the district.

Key Takeaways:

  • The HPV vaccination campaign in Rawalpindi district has a total target of vaccinating 395,609 girls aged 9 to 14 years against cervical cancer.
  • On the first day, the teams of DHA Rawalpindi vaccinated 24,179 girls, achieving six per cent of the total campaign target.
  • The highest coverage was recorded in Tehsil Kahuta, which vaccinated 88 percent of its daily target, while Tehsil Taxila had the lowest coverage with only 44 percent.
  • A total of 6957 girls were reported as missed on the first day, with the majority being cases of refusals.
  • The most significant challenge comes from refusals, attributed to misinformation and misconceptions about the vaccine's safety and effectiveness.
  • A total of 4824 refusals were recorded, while 1847 girls were not available for vaccination due to being absent from home or school, and 286 girls were unable to be vaccinated due to illness.
  • The DHA has appealed to parents to support the HPV vaccination campaign, emphasizing that the vaccine is safe and effective, endorsed by medical experts worldwide.

Statistics:

  • 24,179 girls were vaccinated on the first day of the campaign, achieving six per cent of the total goal.
  • 6957 girls were reported as missed on the first day, with 4824 cases of refusals and 1847 girls not available for vaccination.
  • 286 girls were unable to be vaccinated due to illness.
  • 395,609 girls are the total target for the HPV vaccination campaign in Rawalpindi district.
  • 9-14 years is the age group targeted for HPV vaccination in the campaign.

Sources:

  • Rawalpindi News, "HPV Vaccination Campaign Faces Challenges in Rawalpindi District"
  • District Health Authority (DHA) Rawalpindi, as cited in the article.

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