Pakistan’s Ministry of National Health Services has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the country’s immunization efforts, with a particular focus on launching a major Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign aimed at protecting girls against cervical cancer. Senior officials, development partners, and provincial representatives gathered at the latest National Inter-Agency Coordination Committee (NICC) meeting to strategize preparations and review progress on key immunization initiatives.
During the meeting, Dr. Malik Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath, Minister of State for Health, highlighted the urgent need for the forthcoming HPV vaccination campaign, pointing out that cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women in Pakistan. He emphasized that timely vaccination can prevent countless deaths and praised the collective efforts of all stakeholders involved in the campaign’s planning and execution.
The NICC session saw the endorsement of guidelines and preventive measures for the first phase of the HPV campaign. Members also agreed on a proposal to shift from Penta-1 to Penta-10 dose vials in routine immunization, a change expected to improve efficiency and coverage.
Dr. Bharath underscored the importance of refresher training for vaccinators before each campaign to ensure quality service delivery. He stressed that consistent routine immunization, combined with targeted outreach to underserved communities, is essential for meeting national health objectives. The ongoing support from partners such as WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi was also acknowledged as crucial to the success of these efforts.
Hamed Yaqoob Shaikh, Secretary of the Ministry, reminded participants of the country’s unfinished health agenda and the need to fulfill commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals. He insisted that the HPV vaccination campaign must be inclusive, reaching both school-going and out-of-school girls to maximize its impact.
Dr. Soofia Yunus, Director General of the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI), reported that collaborative work between phase one provinces, the federal government, WHO, and UNICEF has already begun, with capacity building and advocacy sessions underway. She expressed confidence that campaign targets would be met as planned.
The NICC continues to serve as a high-level platform for reviewing progress, addressing challenges, and aligning national strategies to boost immunization rates and improve public health. As the meeting concluded, Dr. Bharath thanked all participants and partner organizations for their contributions and expressed confidence that, with continued teamwork, Pakistan would effectively reach its immunization and health protection goals.
