The Pakistani government has decided to administer the HPV vaccine to 10 million underage girls. According to the health ministry, the initial phase will target girls in Islamabad, Punjab, PoK, and Sindh. The second phase will extend the vaccination campaign to Balochistan and Khyber.
This vaccine has sparked considerable discussion in Pakistan, raising several questions. There have been controversies surrounding vaccines in Pakistan, including those for polio and COVID-19.
**What exactly is the HPV vaccine?**
The full name of this vaccine is Human Papilloma Virus. It aims to eliminate cervical cancer. Married individuals are at the highest risk of cervical cancer. The government has decided to administer this vaccine to promote awareness and caution.
District Health Officer of Islamabad, Rashida Batool, stated that an estimated 5,000 women in Pakistan are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. Approximately 3,000 women do not survive the disease annually. The government aims to eradicate it completely.
HVP infects 70% of patients with cervical cancer. This condition is exclusive to women. The Pakistani government says it is following WHO guidelines regarding the vaccine. The World Health Organization says that the risks can be easily prevented if the vaccine is administered in a timely manner.
**Decision to administer only to underage girls**
The Pakistani government has decided to administer this vaccine only to underage girls. There are 10 million girls in Pakistan between the ages of 9 and 14. Questions have arisen regarding why the vaccine is not being administered to married women.
Pakistani government officials claim that the vaccine reduces cervical cancer by 90%. The decision to administer the vaccine was made to secure the future of girls.
**Controversy surrounding the polio vaccine**
There has been significant controversy surrounding the polio vaccine in Pakistan. Between 2012 and 2025, there were over 20 major attacks on polio teams in the country. These attacks resulted in the deaths of 110 people, including polio workers and police officers. There was also controversy over the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic.
The question is whether underage girls in Pakistan will readily accept the HPV vaccine, especially given the controversies in many parts of Pakistan.