Pakistan has launched the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its national immunization program, with a campaign running from September 15 to 27 in Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The rollout, however, has been accompanied by a wave of rumors and conspiracy theories spread on social media and by some public figures.
The HPV vaccine protects against infections that can lead to several cancers, including cervical, anal, and head and neck cancers, as well as pre-cancerous lesions. According to an Aga Khan University study, over 80 percent of sexually active people will contract HPV at some point in their lives.
With Pakistan diagnosing approximately 5,000 new cervical cancer cases annually—resulting in a 64 percent mortality rate—public health experts emphasize the vaccine’s importance. Cervical cancer is one of the top cancers affecting women in the country.
Pakistan is among roughly 150 countries, or 76 percent of UN member states, that recommend the HPV vaccine. It is the last country in South Asia, aside from Afghanistan, to introduce routine HPV vaccination. Many Muslim-majority nations, including Indonesia and Iran, have already incorporated the vaccine into their health programs, with some even producing it locally.
The vaccine offers up to 90 percent protection against cervical cancer when administered to girls between the ages of 9 and 14, before they become sexually active. This aligns with the World Health Organization’s global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, which Pakistan endorsed in 2020.
The vaccine being used in Pakistan is Cecolin, a single-dose product manufactured in China and prequalified by the WHO in October 2024. Studies confirm that a single dose provides immunity comparable to a two-dose regimen.
Globally, nearly $600 million has been committed to cervical cancer elimination efforts. In Pakistan, Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, currently funds 95 percent of the vaccine delivery, with the government covering the remaining five percent. Over time, Pakistan is expected to fully finance the program domestically.
Health authorities urge the public to rely on scientific evidence and official health guidance, stressing that the vaccine is safe, effective, and a critical step toward preventing preventable cancers.
