Pakistan Launches Historic HPV Vaccination Campaign to Fight Cervical Cancer

Strategic Insights -

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of Pakistan are teaming up to launch the country's first-ever human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, aiming to vaccinate 13 million girls aged 9 to 14 against cervical cancer. The campaign, set to run from 15 to 27 September 2025, is a major milestone in Pakistan's fight against the disease, which claims the lives of nearly 3,200 women annually, with a mortality rate of 64%. The effort is part of the Global Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer, adopted by the World Health Assembly, which aims to vaccinate 90% of girls against HPV by the age of 15 by 2030.

Key Takeaways:

  • The HPV vaccination campaign in Pakistan aims to vaccinate 13 million girls aged 9 to 14, with the target of vaccinating 90% of girls by the age of 15 by 2030.
  • The campaign is part of the Global Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer, adopted by the World Health Assembly.
  • Pakistan has one of the highest mortality rates from cervical cancer in South Asia, with nearly 3,200 deaths annually, a mortality rate of 64%.
  • The training program targets 49,000 health workers, including vaccinators, doctors, social mobilizers, and data operators, to ensure a seamless rollout.
  • The campaign is funded by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, and is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of Pakistan.
  • The phased vaccine introduction will continue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2026, followed by Baluchistan and Gilgit-Baltistan in 2027, laying the foundation for HPV vaccination to become part of Pakistan's routine immunization program.

Sources:

  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Government of Pakistan

Statistics:

  • 13 million girls aged 9 to 14 will be vaccinated against cervical cancer in the campaign.
  • 5,000 new cervical cancer cases are reported annually in Pakistan.
  • 3,200 deaths from cervical cancer occur annually in Pakistan, with a mortality rate of 64%.
  • 49,000 health workers will be trained as part of the campaign.
  • Funding for the campaign comes from GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.
  • The campaign targets vaccination of 90% of girls against HPV by the age of 15 by 2030.
  • 1,580 cervical cancer cases were reported in a WHO-led study in 18 health facilities across Pakistan between 2021 and 2023.