Over 3 Million people Refuse HPV Vaccine in Pakistan

Over 3 Million Refuse HPV Vaccine in National Campaign

Over three million parents have refused the HPV vaccine during Pakistan’s first national HPV vaccination campaign. The campaign began on September 15 and will continue until September 27. It targets 13 million girls aged 9 to 14 across Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The vaccine is given as a single dose to help prevent cervical cancer. Despite wide outreach, refusal rates have been high, especially in Punjab.

According to official sources, 3,040,475 refusals have been recorded in the first nine days. Punjab saw the highest number, with 2,195,793 refusing the vaccine. In Sindh, 659,997 parents rejected it, while AJK reported 127,229 refusals. Islamabad had the lowest refusal count at 58,456. These figures have raised serious concerns among health officials and campaign organizers.

The campaign aims to vaccinate 11,729,787 girls in total. Officials stress the importance of the vaccine in preventing cervical cancer. Health experts say public awareness and trust must be improved. Misinformation and lack of understanding may be fueling these refusals. Efforts are now being made to counter these challenges and ensure higher vaccine acceptance.

Dr. Irshad Ali Jokhio from CDA confirmed the HPV vaccine will be added to Pakistan’s basic immunization program. Dr. Rozeena Khalid from WHO highlighted the danger of cervical cancer. She noted it is the second most common cancer in Pakistani women. She also said it causes more deaths than breast cancer. Vaccinating adolescent girls is key to reducing future cases.

Pakistan has now become the 150th country to introduce the HPV vaccine. Health leaders call the campaign a historic step for women’s health. They believe it will help protect millions of girls from cervical cancer. But to succeed, public support and education must increase. The future of the campaign depends on reducing vaccine hesitancy across the country.