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Vaccines

Pakistan Launches Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign to Protect Adolescent Girls from Cervical Cancer

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Government of Pakistan, in partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer. The campaign aims to vaccinate at least 90% of 13 million eligible girls across Punjab, Sindh, Pakistan-Administered Kashmir, and Islamabad Capital Territory, starting from 15 September 2025. The goal is to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030. Speaking at the launch, the Federal Minister for Health, Syed Mustafa Kamal, emphasized the importance of the vaccination campaign in safeguarding the future health of young girls and urged parents to ensure their daughters and sisters are vaccinated.

Key Takeaways:

  • The HPV vaccination campaign will target girls aged 9-14 years across four regions in Pakistan, with the aim of vaccinating at least 90% of 13 million eligible girls.
  • The campaign will integrate the vaccine into routine immunization for 9-year-old girls in subsequent years, ensuring a healthier future for generations to come.
  • The free HPV vaccine will be available at fixed centers, outreach sites, schools, and through mobile/special vaccination teams, making it accessible to all eligible girls.
  • Over 60 million girls across the world have been vaccinated against HPV with Gavi support to date, with the goal of reaching 86 million girls in lower-income countries by the end of 2025.
  • The HPV vaccine can prevent most cases of cervical cancer and has been prequalified by WHO as a safe, science-based, and effective protection against the disease.
  • Mild side effects such as pain in the injected part of the body or a low fever may occur, but are similar to those experienced from other vaccines.
  • The campaign will be conducted by the Federal Directorate for Immunization (FDI), in partnership with Gavi, UNICEF, and WHO, to ensure a successful and sustainable rollout.

Statistics:

  • 13 million eligible girls will be vaccinated across Punjab, Sindh, Pakistan-Administered Kashmir, and Islamabad Capital Territory.
  • The goal is to vaccinate at least 90% of eligible girls.
  • Over 60 million girls have been vaccinated against HPV with Gavi support to date.
  • The HPV vaccine will protect against 1.4 million future deaths from cervical cancer.
  • The World Health Organization estimates that 8 women die from cervical cancer every day in Pakistan.
  • The goal is to protect over 17 million girls from cervical cancer by 2027.

Sources:

  • Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
  • UNICEF
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Federal Directorate for Immunization (FDI)
  • Pakistan Government

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