The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has begun supplying Pakistan with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, aiming to protect 13 million girls from cervical cancer, officials confirmed on Monday.
The campaign, which runs from September 15 to 27, is the first large-scale initiative of its kind in the country and a major milestone in Pakistan’s public health history. It supports the World Health Assembly’s Global Strategy to eliminate cervical cancer — the third most common cancer among women in Pakistan.
Scope of the Campaign
The drive targets 136,760 girls aged 9 to 14 years across Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Five consignments of the Chinese-manufactured vaccine — amounting to 10 million doses — have already arrived, with a total of 13 million doses planned.
The National Interagency Coordination Committee has formally approved the vaccine’s rollout. Teams from the health department will administer doses in public and private schools, community centers, and through mobile vaccination units.
Cervical Cancer in Pakistan
With more than 73 million women aged 15 and above, Pakistan reports over 5,000 new cervical cancer cases annually, resulting in nearly 3,200 deaths. The 64% mortality rate is among the highest in South Asia, largely due to delayed diagnoses and limited screening access.
Future Plans
Health authorities have outlined further vaccination phases for 2026 and 2027, part of Pakistan’s long-term strategy to eliminate cervical cancer.
