Pakistan Launches Landmark HPV Vaccination Drive to Protect Young Girls from Cervical Cancer

Pakistan has taken a historic step in the fight against cervical cancer by launching its first nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive. Backed by UNICEF, GAVI (the Vaccine Alliance), and the Ministry of National Health Services, this campaign marks a turning point in women’s health, aiming to protect millions of young girls from one of the most preventable yet deadly cancers.

Vaccine Supply and Rollout Plan

UNICEF has delivered 10 million HPV vaccine doses out of a total commitment of 13 million.
Manufactured in China, the remaining doses are expected to arrive within the coming week.
The National Inter-Agency Coordination Committee has officially approved the vaccine’s use in Pakistan.
The immunization drive will run from September 15 to 27, 2025, across Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

Girls between the ages of 9 and 14 will receive a single-dose vaccine. The campaign will be carried out in:

Government and private schools
Community health centers
Fixed vaccination sites
Mobile health units to reach underserved populations

Global Support and Local Commitment

The initiative is part of GAVI’s global program to prevent cervical cancer in low- and middle-income countries. In Pakistan, it is being spearheaded by the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Sindh, with strong backing from UNICEF, public health experts, and civil society.

Experts have hailed the drive as a transformative step that could significantly cut down cervical cancer cases, which claim thousands of Pakistani women’s lives every year.

HPV Health Carnival in Karachi

Ahead of the campaign, a major community event — the HPV Health Carnival — was organized at the Maritime Museum in Karachi. It was hosted by EPI Sindh in collaboration with UNICEF, the Patients’ Aid Foundation, JPMC, JSMU, Indus Hospital, Dow University, and other partners.

The carnival featured:

Free health check-ups and blood donation camps
HPV awareness stalls and counseling counters
Educational games and wellness activities for families
Distribution of information materials to parents and youth

Chief guests and experts praised the initiative:

Syed Nasir Hussain Shah (Sindh Minister for Energy and Planning & Development) called the vaccination drive “a historic step for women’s health.”
Saeed Ghani (Sindh Minister for Local Government) urged parents and teachers to actively support the campaign.
Dr. Shahid Rasool (Director, JPMC), Dr. Amjad Siraj (VC, JSMU), Dr. Nighat Shah (HOD, JPMC), and Dr. Zaid Arif (UNICEF Immunization Officer) stressed that HPV vaccination is a life-saving intervention that every eligible girl must receive.
Why HPV Vaccination Matters
Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Pakistan. Most cases are directly linked to persistent HPV infection, which the vaccine can prevent. Experts believe that with consistent immunization, the country can save thousands of lives each year and move closer to a cancer-free future for women.
Full Readiness for the Campaign
Dr. Raj Kumar, Project Director of EPI Sindh, confirmed that vaccination teams and monitoring systems are fully prepared. He highlighted the importance of community awareness and participation for the success of this national effort.
With political leadership, technical expertise, and global partner support, this initiative goes beyond being a vaccination program — it is a movement of hope and protection for Pakistan’s daughters.

Key Points

1. Pakistan launches first-ever HPV vaccination drive (Sept 15–27, 2025).

2. Campaign targets girls aged 9–14 with a single-dose vaccine.

3. UNICEF delivered 10 million doses (out of 13 million commitment).

4. Supported by GAVI, UNICEF, and EPI Sindh.

5. Vaccinations in schools, health centers, and mobile units.

6. HPV Health Carnival in Karachi raised awareness before rollout.

7. Experts and ministers hailed the move as “historic for women’s health.”

8. Cervical cancer claims thousands of lives annually in Pakistan.

9. Initiative expected to significantly reduce cases and destigmatize prevention.

10. A long-term step toward a cancer-free future for women in Pakistan.