Pakistan Launches Free HPV Vaccination

The Government of Pakistan has announced that it will provide free HPV vaccines to protect young girls from cervical cancer, a disease that is becoming more common among women in the country.

The vaccination campaign will run from September 15 to September 27. In the first phase, the programme will cover Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, targeting girls aged 9 to 14 years.

Why It Matters

Cervical cancer is the second most dangerous cancer among women, mainly caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), if not diagnosed on time, it can become life-threatening.

Every year in Pakistan, around 5,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and more than 3,000 die from the disease. Experts say the high death rate is due to the lack of regular Pap smears or HPV tests, which help detect the illness early.

Expert Opinion

Health experts believe that the HPV vaccine, if given at an early age, can prevent 70–90% of cervical cancer cases. They welcomed the government’s initiative, calling it a big step towards protecting women’s health and controlling the spread of this disease in the future.

This programme is being carried out in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), ensuring that the vaccine is provided to all eligible girls free of cost.