Over 3 million parents decline HPV vaccine in first drive

As Pakistan launched its first HPV vaccine drive to protect girls against cervical cancer, over three million cases of vaccine refusal have been recorded within the first nine days.

The drive was launched on September 15 to protect women against cervical cancer by administering a single-dose HPV vaccine to 13 million girls between the ages of 9 and 14. It was carried out in Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

According to media reports, a total of 3,040,475 cases of refusals have been reported so far. Punjab accounted for the highest number, with 2,195,793 rejections, followed by Sindh with 659,997 cases. In AJK, 127,229 refusals were reported, while Islamabad recorded 58,456.

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The national campaign has set a target of vaccinating 11,729,787 girls during this phase.

Health officials have stressed the importance of the initiative. Dr. Irshad Ali Jokhio, Director General Health Services CDA, earlier stated that the HPV vaccine will soon be integrated into Pakistan’s routine immunization program.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rozeena Khalid of the World Health Organization highlighted that cervical cancer is the country’s second most common cancer among women, with a mortality rate surpassing that of breast cancer. She emphasised that vaccinating adolescent girls is vital to lowering future incidence rates.