- Vaccination marketing campaign to focus on 13 million women.
- Women, aged 9 to 14, to obtain single-dose jab.
- Pakistan to vaccinate 18m women in subsequent 3 years.
Pakistan will launch its first-ever nationwide HPV vaccination marketing campaign from September 15 to 27, marking a serious step within the nation’s efforts to forestall cervical most cancers — the second commonest most cancers amongst ladies nationwide.
In accordance with The Information, the marketing campaign will goal round 13 million women, aged 9 to 14, throughout Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. A single-dose vaccine will probably be administered, which gives lifelong safety.
The DOPASI Basis, in partnership with FDI and with help from Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, convened a strategic workshop in Islamabad to mobilise help for a “cervical cancer-free Pakistan.” The occasion introduced collectively well being specialists, authorities officers, and civil society representatives. Members emphasised that docs, personal hospitals, and non-governmental organisations would play a decisive function within the marketing campaign’s success.
Dr Farhaj Uddin, Programme Supervisor for the HPV marketing campaign at DOPASI Basis, mentioned the initiative focuses on advocacy and group mobilisation to dispel myths and misconceptions. “We’re dedicated to supporting the federal government in reaching each eligible lady and in constructing public confidence round this vaccine,” he careworn.
Highlighting the function of medical professionals, Dr Khurram Shahzad, Director Technical at FDI, mentioned that the general public trusts docs greater than anybody else relating to vaccine security.
“Their voice is the simplest device to counter myths and misconceptions,” he famous. Dr Irshad Ali Jokhio, Director Normal of Well being Companies CDA, introduced that the HPV vaccine can be added to Pakistan’s routine immunisation programme.
In the meantime, Dr Rozeena Khalid of WHO reminded members that cervical most cancers is now claiming extra Pakistani ladies annually than breast most cancers. “Vaccinating adolescent women is the one technique to scale back this preventable illness,” she mentioned. Dr Saima Khursheed Zubair added that, though cervical most cancers impacts grownup ladies, vaccination earlier than the age of 15 is important to make sure lifelong safety.
Audio system careworn that Pakistan has set an bold goal to vaccinate 18 million women over the subsequent three years. This aim can solely be achieved by means of the lively engagement of civil society and healthcare suppliers. Members additionally acknowledged the DOPASI Basis’s management and praised its efforts in awareness-building and group outreach.
In his closing remarks, Dr Bilal Arshad, CEO of Ali Medical Hospital, mentioned the marketing campaign’s consequence in the end relies on docs. “Their advocacy will resolve whether or not Pakistan can meet its goal and save thousands and thousands of lives within the years to come back,” he mentioned.
With this marketing campaign, Pakistan will be part of 149 different international locations which have already launched the HPV vaccine.
