Karachi records lowest HPV vaccination coverage rate in Sindh

Karachi has recorded the lowest coverage rate in the ongoing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign in Sindh, according to data of the Sindh Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).

The figures have raised concerns among health officials and experts as the campaign enters its final week.

Launched on September 15, the province’s first-ever initiative to immunise girls aged nine to 14 against cervical cancer will conclude on September 27. The drive aims to vaccinate 4.1 million girls across 1,190 union councils in 30 districts. So far, 57 per cent of the targeted girls have been vaccinated in the province within seven days.

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Naushahro Feroze leads the districts with 89 per cent coverage, followed by Kamber Shahdadkot (88pc), Badin and Sujawal (85pc each), Ghotki (84pc), Sanghar (82pc), Tharparkar (81pc), Sukkur (80pc), Kashmore (79pc), Dadu (74pc), Umerkot (73pc), Khairpur and Tando Muhammad Khan (72pc each), Larkana and Matiari (71pc each), Thatta (70pc), Jamshoro (66pc), Shaheed Benazirabad (64pc), Shikarpur (59pc), Mirpurkhas (51pc), Tando Allahyar (50pc), Hyderabad (49pc) and Jacobabad (46pc).

In Karachi division, only 33 per cent coverage has been achieved so far. Of the target 887,692 girls, 288,477 have received the vaccine. District West reported the highest coverage in the division at 65 per cent, followed by Korangi (38pc), South (34pc), Malir (32pc), Central (27pc), East (22pc) and Keamari with 12 per cent.