Pindi launches cervical cancer vaccination drive

As part of an initiative to protect children from twelve deadly diseases in the future, vaccination campaigns in Rawalpindi will now include cervical cancer as the thirteenth most lethal disease.

Pakistan has now become the seventh largest country in the world with the highest number of cervical cancer cases, with an 85 per cent mortality rate.

To prevent women between the ages of 30 and 35 from falling victim to this disease, a vaccination campaign will begin this September for girls aged 9 to 14 years.

According to details shared at a workshop organised by IPI Punjab and UNICEF in Rawalpindi, UNICEF consultant Aqeel Sarfraz and District Health Officer Dr Ihsan Ghani explained that positive media reporting on immunisation can encourage parents to vaccinate their children, safeguarding them from diseases such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, measles, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, pneumonia, diarrhoea, typhoid, hepatitis, and TB.

Immunisation helps build a strong immune system, allowing children to fight off these diseases and stay healthy.

Aqeel Sarfraz added that the immunisation programme has now expanded to include protection against thirteen deadly diseases, including cervical cancer.

For the first time in Pakistan, girls aged 9 to 14 will be vaccinated against cervical cancer at schools, hospitals, and women's health clinics.

The vaccination campaign will begin in September in Punjab and Sindh, followed by the other provinces and Islamabad.

Initially, the vaccine will be provided by GAVI, after which the federal and provincial governments will purchase it.

This vaccine will be a one-time dose to protect against cervical cancer.

During the media workshop's Q&A session, it was emphasised that media coverage of immunisation needs to be cautious, as any misinformation can have negative effects.

The media should play a role in convincing parents to complete the vaccination process on time to protect their children from these 13 deadly diseases, thereby ensuring a healthier society through responsible reporting and parental involvement.

Experts emphasised the critical role of public awareness in the success of the vaccination campaign. They urged parents to take advantage of this opportunity to safeguard their children's health.

Local authorities also highlighted the importance of community participation in spreading the message about the vaccine's benefits. As the vaccination campaign moves forward, the government is committed to providing all necessary resources to ensure its success, with a focus on reaching rural areas and marginalized communities.

The collaboration between health organisations, the media, and parents will be key in ensuring that the initiative achieves its goal of reducing the burden of these deadly diseases, especially cervical cancer, in Pakistan.