Punjab Launches Free HPV Vaccination Drive to Protect Girls from Cervical Cancer
The Punjab government has rolled out a free vaccination campaign to protect young girls from cervical cancer by administering the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The drive started on Monday and will continue until September 27.
Who Will Be Vaccinated?
The campaign is aimed at girls between the ages of 9 and 14. It is being implemented by the Health Department of Punjab, in collaboration with the School Education Department and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Parental Consent Required
According to official guidelines, no student will be vaccinated without written parental consent. Consent forms have already been distributed in schools and must be collected before administering doses.
Efforts to Raise Awareness
Health officials acknowledged that the consent requirement can be challenging in areas with low literacy rates or where girls are not enrolled in schools. To address this:
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Social mobilizers and vaccinators have been trained to meet families directly.
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Information sessions are being held in local languages to counter misinformation.
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Doctors and community leaders have been asked to encourage parents about the benefits of the HPV vaccine.
Beyond Schools
In addition to schools, vaccination teams are also visiting community centers and reaching out to out-of-school girls to ensure maximum coverage. Authorities have pledged to monitor side effects carefully and keep proper vaccination records.
Parental Concerns Remain
Despite the awareness efforts, some parents remain hesitant. “We have received calls from parents asking us not to vaccinate their daughters,” said teacher Saman Fatima, urging stronger awareness campaigns to build trust.
