Sindh Begins HPV Vaccination Campaign from Sept 15, 2025
The Government of Sindh is launching a significant HPV vaccination campaign from September 15 to 27, 2025, aimed at protecting 4.1 million girls aged 9 to 14 from cervical cancer. This initiative is a historic step in Pakistan’s efforts to combat cervical cancer, marking the first vaccination drive of its kind in the country and aiming to reduce the impact of this preventable disease.
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حکومت سندھ 15 سے 27 ستمبر 2025 تک ایک اہم HPV ویکسینیشن مہم شروع کر رہی ہے، جس کا مقصد 9 سے 14 سال کی عمر کی 4.1 ملین لڑکیوں کو سروائیکل کینسر سے بچانا ہے۔ یہ اقدام سروائیکل کینسر سے نمٹنے کے لیے پاکستان کی کوششوں میں ایک تاریخی قدم ہے، جس کا مقصد ملک میں اپنی نوعیت کی پہلی ویکسینیشن مہم ہے اور اس کا مقصد اس قابل علاج بیماری کے اثرات کو کم کرنا ہے۔
What is HPV, and Why is the Vaccine Important?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that can lead to serious health issues like cervical cancer, genital warts, and other cancers. The HPV vaccine offers strong protection against the virus strains linked to cervical cancer, and the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that vaccinating girls before they become sexually active can reduce cervical cancer rates by up to 90%.
Scope of the Sindh HPV Vaccination Campaign
The Sindh government is launching a campaign with the Federal Ministry of Health, WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi to prevent HPV-related diseases.
Key Features of the Campaign:
- Target Audience: Girls between the ages of 9 and 14, which is the optimal age group for the greatest vaccine efficacy.
- Reach: Around 4.1 million girls throughout Sindh.
- Vaccine Administration: A one-dose schedule will be given, in line with the WHO’s updated recommendations.
- Execution: Implementation will occur through schools, health facilities, and community outreach initiatives to achieve extensive coverage.
- Awareness Campaigns: Parents, educators, and local leaders will inform families about the vaccine’s safety and significance.
Implementation Strategy
Campaign Infrastructure
- All 1,190 Union Councils in 30 districts will be included in the coverage.
- A total of 3,611 vaccination teams will be deployed throughout schools, madrassas, EPI centers, and local communities. This will encompass fixed locations, mobile outreach squads, and options for catching up on missed vaccinations.
- Routine HPV vaccinations for girls aged nine will commence in January 2026 as part of the annual school outreach program.
Support & Coordination
- The campaign is a collaboration between the Sindh Health Department, Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), Jhpiego, WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and other development partners. WHO has trained 49,000 health workers nationwide to target approximately 13 million girls across provinces, emphasizing the campaign’s scale and global importance.
Outreach & Awareness
- The campaign’s slogan, “Healthy Daughter, Healthy Family” (Sehat Mand Beti, Sehat Mand Gharana), highlights preventive health as a collective duty within the community.
- Comprehensive media outreach, training sessions for educators, and efforts to dispel myths are essential in countering misinformation—vital for fostering trust and encouraging participation.
Why Sindh Needs This Campaign
- Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Pakistani women, with many new cases each year. The vaccination campaign in Sindh aims to significantly reduce future cervical cancer cases, promote preventive healthcare for adolescent girls, and align Pakistan with the WHO’s goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030.
Global and Regional Success of HPV Vaccination
- Countries such as Australia and the UK have already seen a dramatic drop in cervical cancer cases and HPV infections after introducing the vaccine.
- In Rwanda, a successful nationwide HPV vaccination program achieved over 90% coverage among adolescent girls, showing that large-scale campaigns are possible even in developing regions.
Challenges Ahead
Although the campaign shows promise, there are still several challenges to address:
- Vaccine Hesitancy: Misunderstandings regarding vaccines might prevent parents from consenting to their daughters’ vaccinations.
- Logistical Barriers: Delivering vaccines to remote regions of Sindh is a challenge.
- Awareness Gap: There is a need to inform communities about the connection between HPV and cervical cancer.
The government intends to address these challenges by implementing awareness campaigns, engaging communities, and collaborating with NGOs and religious leaders.
Conclusion
The HPV vaccine campaign in Sindh, starting September 15, 2025, aims to vaccinate 4.1 million girls. This initiative is designed to protect future generations from HPV-related diseases and reduce cervical cancer in Pakistan. If successful, it could serve as a model for other provinces and help eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat in the country.
سندھ میں 15 ستمبر 2025 سے شروع ہونے والی ایچ پی وی ویکسین مہم کا مقصد 4.1 ملین لڑکیوں کو ویکسین دینا ہے۔ یہ اقدام مستقبل کی نسلوں کو HPV سے متعلقہ بیماریوں سے بچانے اور پاکستان میں سروائیکل کینسر کو کم کرنے کے لیے ڈیزائن کیا گیا ہے۔ اگر کامیاب ہو جاتا ہے، تو یہ دوسرے صوبوں کے لیے ایک ماڈل کے طور پر کام کر سکتا ہے اور ملک میں صحت عامہ کے خطرے کے طور پر سروائیکل کینسر کو ختم کرنے میں مدد کر سکتا ہے۔
FAQ’s
Who will receive the HPV vaccine in Sindh?
We will mainly focus on girls between the ages of 9 and 14. This includes both girls who go to school and those who do not.
Is the HPV vaccine safe?
>>>> Yes, global health authorities, including WHO and UNICEF, confirm that the HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and critical in preventing cervical cancer.
Will the vaccine be free in Sindh?
Yes, the HPV vaccine will be offered free of charge as part of the government-led campaign.