The Punjab government has directed that HPV vaccines must not be administered to students without parental approval. Schools have been instructed to secure written consent before proceeding with any vaccination.
The Health Department has circulated the directive to district education CEOs, ensuring strict compliance across Punjab.
This step is part of Pakistan’s first nationwide HPV vaccination campaign, running from September 15 to 27, aimed at protecting 13 million girls aged 9 to 14. Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among Pakistani women, with around 5,000 new cases and 3,200 deaths each year, mainly due to late detection and lack of screening.
The campaign supports the World Health Assembly’s Global Strategy to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, which calls for 90% of girls vaccinated by age 15, 70% of women screened, and 90% of patients treated.
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