Pakistan to Introduce HPV Vaccine to Prevent Cervical Cancer

The World Health Organization (WHO) in partnership with the Government of Pakistan is set to introduce the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine from September 15 to 27, aiming to prevent cervical cancer in the country. The campaign will target 13 million girls aged nine to 14 years across Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad Capital Territory, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). This move marks a historic milestone in Pakistan's public health efforts, considering cervical cancer is the third most frequent cancer among women in the country.

Key Takeaways:

• The HPV vaccine campaign will train over 49,000 health workers to introduce the vaccine to 13 million girls aged nine to 14 years across four regions.
• Cervical cancer is the third most frequent cancer among women in Pakistan, with over 5,000 new cases reported annually, and a high mortality rate of 64%.
• The disease burden in Pakistan will increase by at least three-fold in the next seven decades without vaccination.
• The HPV vaccination campaign is part of the World Health Assembly's Global Strategy for cervical cancer elimination.
• The phased introduction of the HPV vaccine will pave the way for its eventual rollout in other provinces in 2026 and 2027.

Statistics:

• 49,000 health workers will be trained for the HPV vaccine campaign.
• 13 million girls aged nine to 14 years will be targeted in the campaign.
• 5,000 new cases of cervical cancer are reported in women annually in Pakistan.
• 64% of the reported cases of cervical cancer result in death.
• The disease burden in Pakistan will increase by at least three-fold in the next seven decades without vaccination.

Sources:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Government of Pakistan
• Pakistan Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI)
• The Vaccine Alliance GAVI