ISLAMABAD – In a groundbreaking step for public health, the Government of Pakistan kicked off its very first nationwide HPV vaccine campaign on September 15, 2025. The goal? To safeguard 13 million girls aged 9 to 14 from cervical cancer. This initiative is being launched across Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Pakistan-Administered Kashmir.
Rollout Details & Strategy
- The campaign will run from September 15 to 27, 2025.
- What’s great about this campaign is that it offers a single-dose vaccine completely free of charge, available at government centers, schools, mobile units, and through outreach efforts in underserved communities.
- To make this happen, over 49,000 female health workers—including vaccinators, social mobilizers, and data operators—have been trained to support the initiative.
Awareness & Challenges
While awareness has certainly improved since the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still some lingering misconceptions, especially regarding fertility, vaccine safety, and cultural or religious beliefs. A significant part of the target group consists of out-of-school girls, particularly in the wake of the flood damages in Punjab, which have severely impacted educational facilities. The health department in Sindh is focusing on detailed planning at the Union Council level, reaching out to remote areas, and deploying mobile vaccination teams to ensure that girls who can’t get to schools are still able to receive the vaccine.
Why It Matters
Cervical cancer is currently one of the leading cancers among women in Pakistan, with more than 5,000 new cases annually and roughly 3,000 deaths. Preventive vaccination is seen as a key tool, along with screening and treatment, to reduce this burden.
