Cervical Cancer: Free HPV vaccination starts for schoolgirls

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation on Monday launched a vaccination campaign against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in most parts of the country to protect young girls from cervical cancer.

The campaign titled “Sehatmand beti, sehatmand gharana”,will target girls aged 9–14 years from September 15-27 2025, in schools, madrassas and health facilities across Punjab, Sindh, AJK and Islamabad.

SINDH

In Sindh, the campaign,was inaugurated at Khatoon-e-Pakistan Girls School in Karachi by provincial health minister Dr. Azra Pechuho.

Representatives from the Ministry of Health, World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and international NGOs also attended the ceremony.

According to the Sindh Health Department, girls aged 9 to 14 will receive the HPV vaccine free of cost. The vaccine will be available at all government schools and health centers across the province.

PUNJAB

In Punjab the HPV vaccination campaign has also been launched which will continue till September 27.

The campaign will target schoolgirls aged 9-14. Punjab health department has issued explicit instructions of parent’s permission letter mandatory for the vaccination.

“No girl would be administered any vaccination without the written permission form the parents”, according to a circular issued to district health authorities

Officials said the campaign aims to curb the rising cases of cervical cancer and ensure a healthier future for the next generations.

HPV is not only responsible for cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer in women, but is also linked to vulvar and vaginal cancers.

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The vaccine is already in use in 148 countries, and Pakistan has now joined their ranks. In Pakistan, around 69 million women above 15 remain at risk of developing cervical cancer. Every year, an estimated 5,800 new cases are reported, and more than 3,300 women die from the disease.

The campaign uses a single-dose vaccine, as multiple-dose schedules often lead to dropouts. The vaccine is being administered free of cost at EPI fixed centres, schools, and through mobile outreach teams.

Although this is a one-time campaign, from 2026 the HPV vaccine will be added to Pakistan’s routine immunisation programme, starting with nine-year-old girls.

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