ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has extended its first-ever national cervical cancer vaccination campaign after failing to meet the target of immunizing 11.7 million girls aged 9 to 14.
The HPV vaccination drive, which began on September 15 and was due to conclude on September 27, will now continue in several regions following requests from provincial authorities.
The Sindh government has already announced a three-day extension until September 30. In Islamabad, health officials are considering a three- to seven-day extension, while Punjab and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) are also expected to prolong the campaign for a similar duration.
Health experts underline that the HPV vaccine is a proven shield against cervical cancer and has been successfully rolled out in 148 countries, including several Muslim-majority nations.
Despite this, vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge, particularly in AJK, where some parents have refused to allow their daughters to be vaccinated, echoing resistance seen during the COVID-19 immunization drive.
Community leaders and public health officials are urging families to participate, emphasizing that widespread vaccination could save thousands of lives by reducing cervical cancer cases in the decades ahead.
