A province wide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls will commence in September, covering Karachi and the entire Sindh region. The campaign aims to immunize 4.1 million girls aged between 9 and 14 years to protect them against cervical cancer in the future.
District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Shah Muhammad Sheikh stated that the Sindh Health Department has initiated preparations for the HPV vaccination campaign, which is targeted at girls aged 9 to 14 years across the province, including Karachi. He noted that this initiative is part of efforts to prevent cervical cancer by providing timely protection through vaccination.
Dr. Sheikh added that Lady Health Workers (LHWs) have begun training sessions in preparation for the campaign. Prior to the official launch, LHWs will go door-to-door to raise awareness among parents about the importance and benefits of the HPV vaccine.
Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Project Director Dr. Raj Kumar said that instructions have been issued to District Health Officers in all districts, including those in interior Sindh, to ensure the success of the campaign. Dr. Shah Muhammad Sheikh further mentioned that in Karachi’s Korangi district alone, micro-planning has been completed to vaccinate more than 233,000 girls aged between 9 and 14.
He added that the LHWs are also being trained to administer the vaccine safely. Korangi district, with a population of over 3.2 million, has 19 healthcare centers along with fully operational evening dispensaries that will support the campaign.
Explaining the virus, Dr. Sheikh said the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is known to cause gynecological issues in girls and can sometimes lead to cancer. Often, the virus presents no obvious symptoms, making it difficult for parents to detect.
However, he noted that one of the symptoms may include small bumps or warts on the skin that cause pain or irritation. The HPV vaccine offers effective protection against this virus, safeguarding girls from potential health complications.
