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Vaccines

Nationwide HPV Vaccination Campaign Launched in Pakistan to Protect Adolescent Girls

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Government of Pakistan has launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, in partnership with Gavi, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO), to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer. The campaign targets 13 million eligible girls aged 9-14 years across Punjab, Sindh, Pakistan-Administered Kashmir, and Islamabad Capital Territory. The government aims to vaccinate at least 90% of the eligible girls, with the goal of integrating the HPV vaccine into routine immunization for 9-year-old girls in the coming years.

Key Takeaways:

  • The nationwide HPV vaccination campaign is a partnership between the Government of Pakistan, Gavi, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO) to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer.
  • The campaign targets 13 million eligible girls aged 9-14 years across Punjab, Sindh, Pakistan-Administered Kashmir, and Islamabad Capital Territory.
  • The government aims to vaccinate at least 90% of the eligible girls, with the goal of integrating the HPV vaccine into routine immunization for 9-year-old girls in the coming years.
  • The vaccination campaign will be carried out through fixed centers, outreach programs, schools, and mobile teams, with special efforts to reach high-risk and underserved populations.
  • The HPV vaccine will be provided free of charge to all eligible girls.
  • Globally, over 60 million girls have already received the vaccine with Gavi's support, and the campaign in Pakistan contributes to the Alliance's goal of reaching 86 million girls in lower-income countries by the end of 2025.
  • UNICEF Representative Pernille Ironside described the launch as historic for Pakistan, giving millions of girls the opportunity to grow and thrive without the fear of cervical cancer.
  • WHO Representative Dr. Dapeng Luo emphasized the critical need for vaccination to protect millions of girls and future generations in Pakistan, where eight women die daily from cervical cancer.

Statistics:

  • 13 million eligible girls aged 9-14 years to be targeted in the campaign.
  • 90% of the eligible girls aim to be vaccinated.
  • 13 million girls to be vaccinated across Punjab, Sindh, Pakistan-Administered Kashmir, and Islamabad Capital Territory.
  • 60 million girls globally have already received the vaccine with Gavi's support.
  • 86 million girls in lower-income countries aim to be reached with the HPV vaccine by the end of 2025.
  • 8 women die daily in Pakistan from cervical cancer.

Sources:

  • Pakistan Ministry of Health
  • Government of Pakistan
  • Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
  • UNICEF Pakistan
  • World Health Organization (WHO)

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