Government Extends HPV Drive After Low Vaccination Rate

ISLAMABAD: The HPV vaccination campaign aimed at preventing cervical cancer has failed to meet its national target. The goal was to vaccinate 11.7 million girls, but only 6.7 million were covered in the first 11 days. This means over 4 million girls remain unvaccinated. The campaign faced challenges like parental refusal, illness, and logistical issues. As a result, health officials have decided to extend the campaign’s timeline in several regions.

The campaign began on September 15 in Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Kashmir. It was initially scheduled to end on September 27. However, low coverage numbers forced the government to reconsider the deadline. According to officials, all participating regions will now extend the campaign. The goal is to reach more unvaccinated girls before the final phase ends.

Vaccination rates varied across provinces. Sindh achieved 65% coverage, while Punjab reached 63%. In Azad Kashmir, only 35% of eligible girls were vaccinated. Islamabad reported an even lower rate of 34%. These gaps raised concern among health authorities and pushed them to act. Each region is now working on revised timelines to increase coverage.

Sindh has already announced a three-day extension, moving the campaign’s end date to September 30. The province will soon notify the federal government officially. Meanwhile, Islamabad’s health department may extend its campaign by three to seven days. Punjab and Azad Kashmir are also expected to grant similar extensions soon.

Officials hope the extra time will boost the campaign’s success. They are urging parents to cooperate and prioritize their daughters’ health. With better awareness and extended efforts, the government aims to close the vaccination gap. The focus remains on preventing cervical cancer through timely immunization.