Health experts have called for an extensive public awareness campaign ahead of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s first-ever Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, warning that misinformation and vaccine hesitancy could affect its success.
The provincial vaccination drive is scheduled to take place from November 11 to 24, 2026, targeting approximately 2.9 to 3.2 million girls aged 9 to 14 across the province.
Experts have stressed that parents, teachers, religious scholars, journalists and community leaders must be actively involved in educating families about the vaccine and its role in preventing cervical cancer.
According to health experts, the first phase of Pakistan’s HPV vaccination campaign, conducted in September 2025, recorded varying coverage levels across different regions. Sindh achieved the highest provincial coverage at 68.6%, while Azad Jammu and Kashmir recorded the lowest at 39.2%. Punjab and Islamabad reported coverage of 47.6% and 44.5%, respectively.
Experts believe that inadequate awareness before the first phase contributed to vaccine refusals in several areas. They have therefore urged authorities to address misconceptions and provide accurate information before the campaign begins in KP.
The target population includes approximately 1.6 million school-going girls and 1.3 million girls who are not enrolled in schools. Health experts say reaching both groups will require coordination between the health and education departments.
The HPV vaccine protects against infections that can lead to cervical cancer. Experts have emphasised that vaccination at the recommended age is an important preventive measure and urged parents to cooperate with healthcare teams.
They have also called for trained emergency teams to be available during the campaign to respond to any reported vaccine-related reactions and maintain public confidence.
