On September 15, Pakistan launched its first-ever HPV vaccination drive for girls aged 9-14 — a breakthrough in women’s health. Thousands of vaccinators and Lady Health Workers have been trained, micro-plans drawn, and strategies designed to reach out-of-school girls. Phase one spans Sindh, Punjab, Islamabad and AJK, targeting nearly 13 million girls.
But campaigns alone do not end diseases. The real test will be what comes after. From January 2026, HPV vaccination is set to join Pakistan’s Expanded Programme on Immunization. Sustained budgets, reliable supply chains and seamless integration will decide whether this historic effort becomes routine protection and long-term prevention.
The stakes are stark. Every year, about 5,000 women in Pakistan are diagnosed with cervical cancer and more than 3,000 die from preventable causes. Globally, HPV vaccines have cut invasive cancer rates dramatically, especially when given before age 17. For Pakistani girls, this is not a theory; it is their future.
Three hurdles must be tackled head-on. Trust: myths around vaccines and fertility can erode acceptance unless communities are engaged. Equity: reaching out-of-school girls cannot remain an aspiration; it must be documented and delivered. Screening: vaccination shields tomorrow’s women, but millions already at risk need affordable early detection now. Simple cervical screening tests, done by trained doctors at Basic Health Units, must become a routine part of primary healthcare.
Efficiency helps too. The WHO now endorses a single-dose HPV schedule for girls aged 9–14, stretching resources and reducing drop-outs without compromising protection.
Dr Romaina Iqbal, a leading public health researcher, underscores the urgency: “With the increasing incidence of cancer in Pakistan, we must adopt as many preventive measures as possible. HPV vaccination is one important initiative for prevention.”
If Pakistan pairs trust, equity and sustainability, this campaign will be remembered not as a one-off drive but as the moment a preventable cancer was finally consigned to history.
Dr Zeerak Jarrar
AKUH, Karachi
