Cervical cancer vaccine now part of Sindh's programme

KARACHI: In an effort to protect young girls from cervical cancer, the Sindh Health Department, in line with a decision by the Federal Directorate of Immunization, has included the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine in the province’s routine immunization programme.

Other provinces are also expected to roll out similar initiatives in the coming months.

According to a notification issued by the Sindh Health Department, the decision has become effective from Jan 1 this year.

“The vaccination shall target girls aged nine years with an intended minimum coverage of 70 per cent,” the notification stated.

The department has directed all district health officers to adopt a mixed delivery approach, including facility-based vaccination, community outreach, and school-based vaccination activities, to ensure optimal coverage, equitable access, and sustainability.

“To ensure accurate monitoring, accountability, and transparency, HPV vaccination through routine immunization must be fully integrated into the existing EPI [Expanded Programme on Immunization] recording and reporting mechanisms,” the notification added.

Provincial government health officials have also been instructed to ensure preparedness, including micro-planning, staff orientation, logistics, cold chain management, and coordination with relevant stakeholders to support an effective rollout of the HPV vaccine under routine immunization.

According to officials, the vaccine will be available free of charge for nine-year-old girls at EPI centers, outreach vaccination sites, and during school-based vaccination sessions.