Pakistan rolls out cervical cancer vaccination program

Pakistan’s Health Minister Mustafa Kamal launched the country’s first Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign on Monday, state media reported, which will run from Sept. 15-27 and aim to protect millions from cervical cancer. 

Minister for National Health Services Mustafa Kamal officially launched the campaign, stressing that prevention is the strongest tool against this disease. According to the Federal Directorate of Immunization, the campaign will run from September 15 to 27 across Punjab, Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Islamabad. The vaccine will be provided to girls aged 9 to 14 years in schools, religious seminaries, and health facilities. Health experts explain that HPV is a very common virus, often spread through sexual contact, which can stay in the skin for years without showing symptoms. In many cases, it can lead to genital warts or even cervical cancer.

Minister Kamal highlighted that more than 5,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Pakistan each year, while nearly 3500 lose their lives to the disease. He urged parents to make sure their daughters receive the vaccine, noting that early vaccination offers strong protection against the virus before any exposure. Meanwhile, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, are supporting Pakistan in this important step. These organizations emphasized that millions of adolescent girls could be protected from cervical cancer through widespread HPV vaccination.

At the same time, experts warned that myths and taboos remain a major challenge. Some misconceptions claim that the vaccine causes infertility or that it is only meant for sexually active girls. Health officials rejected these claims, clarifying that the vaccine is safe, effective, and designed specifically for prevention. Through this campaign, Pakistan aims to safeguard future generations by protecting girls’ health and raising awareness about cervical cancer prevention.