Sindh launches first-ever HPV vaccination drive for 4.1 million girls
Free, one-time vaccine aims for 90–95% coverage to protect against cervical cancer By Mukhtar Alam KARACHI: The Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), Sindh, is set to roll out the province’s first-ever Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign today (September 15). The 10-day initiative follows weeks of awareness and training drives and aims to reach as many as 4.1 million adolescent girls across urban and rural areas. According to official data, around 3,600 vaccinators will be deployed under the national campaign to administer a one-time HPV vaccine dose to girls aged 9–14. The delivery model combines fixed-site teams (490 vaccinators), outreach sessions (2,990 vaccinators) covering schools, madressahs, and community girls, and mobile units (131 vaccinators) to serve hard-to-reach populations. The official launch ceremony will be held at Khatoon-e-Pakistan Government Girls School, Stadium Road, Karachi, with Sindh Health and Population Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho...