**Punjab Prepares for Introduction of HPV Vaccine in Routine Immunization Program**
Punjab is making significant strides towards the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in its routine immunization schedule, as part of a broader effort to combat cervical cancer among women. With technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Punjab has provided operational training to the second cohort of district EPI managers in a provincial workshop held in Islamabad. This training aims to equip health managers with the necessary skills for a smooth vaccine rollout, which is scheduled to commence with a focused campaign in September.
The comprehensive two-day workshop brought together district-level managers and emphasized core operational aspects critical for the campaign’s success. Sessions covered the global and national burden of HPV-related diseases, strategic planning for the HPV catch-up campaign, standard operating procedures for vaccination session setups, and robust systems for cold chain and supply management. Participants also received training in monitoring vaccination activities, managing adverse events following immunization (AEFI), crisis communication, and field-level advocacy and community mobilization. The technical sessions were delivered by professionals from WHO, UNICEF, JHPIEGO, and Acasus, reflecting a collaborative approach to public health advancement.
Senior officials, including Dr. Jamshaid Ahmed, Head of the WHO Sub Office Punjab; Dr. Mehwish Bhatti, Additional Director VPD Surveillance; and Dr. Muhammad Farid, Technical Officer at EMRO, attended the workshop. They underscored the importance of effective and practical operational planning at every administrative level to ensure a successful immunization campaign and sustainable program outcomes.
The initiative follows the training of the first batch of master trainers in Multan. The upcoming vaccination campaign targets adolescent girls and aims to significantly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, which is currently the third most common cancer among women in Pakistan and the second most prevalent among women of reproductive age. The introduction of the HPV vaccine thus represents a major milestone in preventive healthcare for women across Punjab.
