The World Health Organization (WHO) today joined the Government of Pakistan’s Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI) to launch the country’s first-ever human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign to protect 13 million adolescent girls from cervical cancer, in partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and UNICEF. Pakistan joins more than 150 countries that have included this WHO-prequalified vaccine in their immunization schedules, safeguarding the health of future generations.

The campaign marks a major leap forward in strengthening women’s health and advancing Pakistan’s commitment to the World Health Assembly’s goal to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030.

Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal presided over the launch ceremony as chief guest. “This vaccination drive for girls aged 9 to 14 years is an important step towards safeguarding their future health. I urge all parents to ensure their daughters and sisters are vaccinated. Do not fall prey to negative campaigns. This vaccine is safe, effective and essential for protecting our girls,” said the federal minister.

More than 49 000 health workers trained by WHO will be mobilized in a campaign that targets girls aged 9–14 years across Punjab, Sindh, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and Islamabad Capital Territory in its first phase. The goal is to vaccinate at least 90% of 13 million eligible girls during this campaign and integrate the vaccine into routine immunization for 9-year-old girls in subsequent years. The phased introduction of the HPV vaccine will pave the way for its eventual rollout in other provinces and areas – including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2026, and Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan in 2027.