Pakistan is set to make history as it launches its first-ever nationwide cervical cancer vaccine campaign tomorrow (Monday). Health authorities have finalized all preparations to roll out the initiative aimed at protecting millions of young girls from a preventable but deadly disease.
The cervical cancer vaccination drive will run from September 15 to 27 across Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Kashmir. Officials confirmed that more than 13 million girls aged 9 to 14 will receive a single dose of the HPV vaccine, which guards against the virus responsible for most cervical cancer cases.
Vaccinations will be available at public and private girls’ schools, madrassas, community centers, fixed health sites, and through mobile vaccination units to ensure maximum coverage.
According to health ministry sources, Punjab has received 8.8 million doses, Sindh 4 million doses, Azad Kashmir 349,000 doses, and Islamabad 152,000 doses. The vaccines and syringes, valued at nearly Rs 10 billion, have been supplied free of cost by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
The campaign will expand in phases. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is scheduled to be covered in 2026, followed by Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan in 2027. Gavi has pledged to continue providing free HPV vaccines for all these phases.
Officials also confirmed that Pakistan intends to integrate the HPV vaccine into its routine immunization program, ensuring that all girls up to age nine are vaccinated in the future. For subsequent drives, the government will directly procure the vaccines to maintain sustainability.
Health experts say this milestone campaign is not just about distributing vaccines—it’s about transforming women’s healthcare in Pakistan. By prioritizing the cervical cancer vaccine, the country is taking a crucial step toward reducing cancer-related deaths and empowering future generations of women with stronger health protection.
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