Sindh plans HPV vaccine policy

KARACHI:

Sindh Minister for Health Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho held a meeting on the roadmap for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine.

The meeting was also attended by Project Director EPI, Sindh, Dr Irshad Memon, Dr Fauzia Assad Country Director JHIEPGO, Dr Arshad Chandio Consultant.

The meeting detailed that there are several different types of HPV that affect women as it can cause cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix - the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Various strains of HPV, a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer.

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Sindh will be the first province to begin offering this vaccine as part of routine immunisation, Dr Azra said.

Women and especially adolescent girls (from age nine onwards) can and should be given this vaccine, the vaccine has two types, a single and a double dose version.

Dr Azra said that every medium should be tasked with spreading awareness regarding HPV and cervical cancer, especially morning shows, so that women are encouraged to get screened and get treated for it as early as possible.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2021.