Punjab Launches Free HPV Vaccination Drive for 8 Million Girls

LAHORE: Punjab is set to introduce the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunisation programme, with a special campaign running from September 15 to 27, 2025. The initiative is part of a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers among women in Pakistan.

🎯 Campaign Target

Over 8 million girls aged 9 to 14 years across Punjab will be vaccinated.
Around 5.5 million girls in schools are expected to be covered.
The biggest challenge lies in reaching 2.5 million out-of-school girls, especially in flood-affected areas, nomadic communities, migrant populations, and underserved urban settlements.

🌍 Global Commitment

Pakistan is a signatory to the 2018 World Health Assembly Resolution, which sets ambitious goals for 2030:

90% of girls vaccinated against HPV by age 15.
70% of women screened for cervical cancer by ages 35 and 45.
90% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer to receive treatment and care.

👩‍⚕️ Health Department Strategy

Punjab’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has deployed:

6,277 outreach teams
13,000+ social mobilizers
Mobile vaccination units for high-risk areas including prisons, orphanages, markets, transport hubs, and migrant camps.

Community leaders, local notables, and civil society groups are also being engaged to reach marginalised groups.

💉 Why HPV Vaccine Matters

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in Pakistani women, and the second most common among women aged 15–44.
The HPV virus, if untreated, can silently develop into cancer.
This is the first time the HPV vaccine will be available free of cost in Pakistan. Previously, it was only offered at expensive private hospitals.

🌐 Global Experience

The HPV vaccine is already part of national immunisation programmes in 144 countries, including Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Punjab’s programme has incorporated lessons from these global examples.

🧒 Addressing Concerns

EPI Director Dr. Samra Khurram highlighted that introducing the vaccine for adolescents is different from vaccinating infants:

Girls aged 9–14 may have fear of injections.
Explaining scientific details to this age group is a challenge.

Despite these hurdles, she emphasized the campaign’s importance for Pakistan’s future health outcomes.

✅ Key Takeaway: Punjab’s free HPV vaccination campaign is a historic public health step that aims to protect millions of young girls from cervical cancer, bringing Pakistan in line with international best practices.