Preparations are in full swing for Pakistan’s first nationwide campaign against cervical cancer, ARY News reported on Sunday, quoting health department sources.
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign is expected to be held from September 15 to 27, covering selected areas of Punjab, Sindh, Azad Kashmir, and Islamabad.
According to officials, the initiative will primarily target girls aged 9 to 14 years studying in public and private schools. Registration for eligible students has already started.
To engage parents, awareness messages will be circulated, highlighting the safety and benefits of the HPV vaccine. Vaccinations will be carried out through fixed health centers, community facilities, and mobile teams, ensuring maximum coverage. School health teams will also administer vaccines directly to enrolled students.
Each girl in the target group will receive a single HPV dose, which greatly reduces the chances of developing cervical cancer — a preventable but potentially fatal disease if left untreated.
Health experts describe the campaign as a historic step in Pakistan’s public health system, aiming to safeguard future generations of women from a serious yet preventable illness.
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