Article, Pakistan is embarking on a landmark public health milestone: the country’s first-ever nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive, set to begin on September 15, 2025. Running through September 27, this campaign is poised to target approximately 13 million girls aged 9 to 14 across Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir Asia News NetworkEMROXinhua News.
A Record-Breaking Public Health Effort
The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with Pakistan’s Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI) and the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), has trained over 49,000 health workers to ensure smooth execution of the campaign EMRO. In Sindh alone, authorities plan to vaccinate 4.1 million girls across all 30 districts, deploying over 3,600 teams to schools, madrassas, communities, fixed sites, and mobile outreach units DawnThe Express Tribune.
Why This Drive Matters
Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women in Pakistan, with over 5,000 new cases diagnosed each year and a mortality rate exceeding 60% EMRO. Most of these cases result from HPV types 16 and 18, which account for around 70% of cervical cancers Asia News NetworkDawn.
By vaccinating girls before they are exposed to HPV, Pakistan is joining the global fight to eliminate cervical cancer, aligning with WHO’s strategy to ensure that by 2030, 90% of girls are fully vaccinated by age 15 EMRO.
Reaching Every Girl: Schools and Communities
The campaign uses a dual-modal approach:
- In-school vaccination ensures enrolled girls are covered at their learning institutions.
- Community outreach—through markets, parks, vocational centers, and mobile units—ensures out-of-school girls also receive their shot Dawn.
Digital tools like the Sindh Electronic Immunisation Record (SEIR) and vaccination cards help track coverage and support follow-up catch-up doses for those who miss their initial appointment Asia News NetworkDawn.
Looking Beyond 2025
This campaign is just the first phase of HPV vaccine rollout. Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and AJK are beginning it now, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is expected to follow in 2026, and Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan in 2027 EMRO. After this drive, routine vaccination for girls will start in January 2026, ensuring that new cohorts are protected continuously Dawn.
Overcoming Challenges
Despite its promise, success depends on community trust, parental consent, and accurate awareness. Misconceptions—such as vaccination affecting fertility—must be addressed sensitively by trained health communication professionals. Engaging schools, religious leaders, and community influencers can help reinforce the campaign’s life-saving message and dispel myths.
A Brighter Future for Pakistan’s Girls
This historic campaign signals much more than temporary protection—it lays the groundwork for a routine immunization system that safeguards adolescent girls throughout the nation. By preventing HPV infection early, Pakistan can drastically reduce future cervical cancer cases, save lives, and ease healthcare burdens across generations.
Links to Include
- Inbound Link (to your site): Link to a relevant article or page on alquwwahnatural.com, like: “Learn more about how vaccination supports holistic adolescent health on our [Immunization & Women’s Wellness] page at Al-Quwwah Natural.”
- Outbound Link (authoritative source): “For more details, refer to the WHO’s overview of Pakistan’s HPV drive.” (link to WHO article)
