Pakistan is set to launch a groundbreaking public health initiative with its first national Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign from September 15 to 27. This ambitious effort marks a critical step in combating cervical cancer, which is the second most prevalent cancer among women in the country. The campaign will specifically target around 13 million girls between the ages of 9 and 14 in the regions of Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, administering a single-dose vaccine that offers lifelong immunity.
The drive is being propelled by a powerful coalition, including the DOPASI Foundation and FDI, with essential support from Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance. A recent strategic workshop in Islamabad united government officials, health experts, and civil society representatives to mobilize efforts for a “cervical cancer-free Pakistan.” A key resolution from the meeting was the announcement by Dr. Irshad Ali Jokhio that the HPV vaccine will be integrated into Pakistan’s routine immunization programme, ensuring sustainable prevention beyond the initial campaign.
Medical professionals are being highlighted as the cornerstone of the campaign’s success. Experts like Dr. Khurram Shahzad of FDI stressed that doctors hold the highest level of public trust regarding vaccine safety and are the most effective voice to counter misinformation. This is crucial as organizations like DOPASI focus on community mobilization and advocacy to dispel myths and build public confidence in the vaccine’s safety and necessity.
The urgency of the campaign was underscored by World Health Organization representative Dr. Rozeena Khalid, who revealed that cervical cancer now claims more lives annually in Pakistan than breast cancer. With an ambitious goal to vaccinate 18 million girls over the next three years, the collaborative effort of healthcare providers and civil society will be paramount. As Dr. Bilal Arshad concluded, the advocacy of doctors will ultimately determine whether Pakistan can meet its target and save millions of lives, joining 149 other countries that have already introduced the HPV vaccine.
