Karachi, September 3, 2025 – The Government of Sindh and the Health Department of Sindh, with the support of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), Jhpiego, WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and other development partners, will launch the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Campaign from 15th to 27th September 2025 across the province.
As part of the preparations, EPI Sindh, in collaboration with Jhpiego, organized a Media Briefing on HPV Vaccine Introduction under the theme “Protecting Girls, Preventing Cancer.” The event marked a historic milestone for Sindh’s immunization program and was attended by provincial leadership, health experts, development partners, and media professionals.
The session highlighted the importance of the HPV vaccine in protecting girls aged 9–14 years against cervical cancer, addressed myths and misconceptions, and emphasized the critical role of the media in promoting positive messaging and raising awareness among communities across Sindh.
A media briefing for journalists on the HPV vaccine introduction and cervical cancer prevention was held in Karachi under the theme “Sehat Mand Beti, Sehat Mand Gharana” (Healthy Daughter, Healthy Family). This event marked a significant milestone in Pakistan’s immunization program and was attended by government health representatives, health experts, development partners, and media professionals from local and provincial news channels.
During the media briefing, health experts, including Dr. Khuram Akram (Technical Director of the Federal Directorate of Immunization) Dr. Raj Kumar (Program Director EPI Sindh) Dr. Sohail Shaikh (Additional PD EPI Sindh, Dr. Khalil Ullah Memon (Deputy PD EPI Sindh) Dr. Christopher Morgan (Technical Director Jhpiego Global) Mr. Dilbar Khan (Project Lead HPV Jhpiego) Dr. Tazeen Abbass (Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Pakistan) Dr. Sadia Pal (Obstetrics and Gynaecology), Dr. Irfana Rafiq (Technical Manager Immunization Jhpiego), Professor Dr. Iqbal Memon from PPA, Dr. Azra Ahsan president AMAN, Professor Dr. DS Akram Chairperson of health education literacy Program (HELP) Dr. Arsalan Memon M&E EPI Sindh shared insights on cervical cancer and HPV vaccine prevention.
Dr. Khuram Akram Technical Director FDI highlighted the urgent need for the HPV vaccine in Pakistan by sharing national and global data on the burden of cervical cancer, with more than 348,000 deaths reported in 2022. In Pakistan alone, an estimated 5,008 women are diagnosed with the disease every year, and over 3,000 deaths occur, making it the third most common cancer among women of all ages and the second most common among women of reproductive age. Media’s role in the successful introduction of the HPV vaccine against this deadly disease is very important. With the media’s support, we will reach caregivers to share the importance of the HPV vaccine, specifically in saving the future of girls.
The health experts explained that cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide, the HPV virus, particularly types 16 and 18, is responsible for nearly 70% of cervical cancer cases and that the vaccine offers a powerful tool to prevent the disease. The launch also introduced the phased rollout plan for the vaccine, which will begin in Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad Capital Territory, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir in 2025 before expanding to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2026 and Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan in 2027.
Provincial Director Dr. Raj Kumar stated that the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Sindh aims to vaccinate 4.1 million girls aged 9 to 14 years against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) to prevent cervical cancer in Sindh Province. He explained that this initiative will cover all 1,190 Union Councils across 30 districts. To achieve this, 3,611 teams will be deployed to schools, madrassas, and communities, as well as all EPI centres in Sindh. By immunizing our girls today, we are ensuring a healthier, cancer-free future for generations to come. Sindh is the first province to support & initiate HPV vaccine launch in Pakistan on the directives of Minister Health DR Azra Pechuho. This vaccine has the potential to make Sindh & Pakistan free from cervical cancer, which has a mortality rate of above 65%. It in mandatory for all of us to protect our innocent girl and get them vaccinated. He shared the campaign strategy as the first phase of the campaign consists of a 12-day vaccination drive, excluding Sundays, targeting girls aged 9–14 through both school-based and community-based outreach. While enrolled girls will be immunized at school whilst out-of-school girls will be vaccinated at community locations such as markets, parks, and vocational centres. Fixed-site sessions at health facilities and mobile teams in hard-to-reach areas will further expand coverage, while catch-up doses will be available for girls who miss the initial campaign. Routine HPV vaccination for 9-year-old girls will start from Jan 2026, with annual outreach to schools, ensuring that newly enrolled girls are protected.
Dr. Raj Kumar further stated that with support from media personals We request parents to fully cooperate with the Sindh Government and Health Department teams, and actively participate in this campaign to protect your daughters and future generations from cervical cancer.
Adding to this, Mr. Dilbar Khan, Project Lead for the HPV vaccine campaign from Jhpiego, highlighted the operational aspects of the rollout: “This campaign has been designed to reach every eligible girl, whether in school or out of school, through well-coordinated outreach, fixed-site sessions, and mobile teams. Our focus on community engagement, micro-planning, and media collaboration will be critical in ensuring high coverage and long-term sustainability of HPV vaccination in Pakistan.”
At the event’s conclusion, partners reiterated their commitment to this national effort, specifically highlighting the crucial role of the media in ensuring its success. The HPV vaccine campaign is a major step forward for public health in Pakistan, aligning with the WHO’s Global Strategy to eliminate cervical cancer. Through media-driven awareness campaigns and community mobilization, Pakistan is demonstrating its resolve to save lives and safeguard the future of its girls and women by focusing on prevention through vaccination, screening, and treatment
The event was attended by different media personals, health beat reporters from different media channels, Radio, FM channels, representatives from EPI Sindh, Federal Directorate of Immunization, Jhpiego, WHO, UNICEF, GAVI, Gates Foundation, AMAN, HELP, PPA, Gynea and Obs, SOGP and others.
