HPV vaccination drive ends with 77.7% coverage

ISLAMABAD: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign across Rawalpindi district concluded with significant progress, protecting thousands of young girls against cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases.

From September 15 to 27, the drive targeted 395,609 girls and successfully vaccinated 307,421, achieving a coverage rate of 77.71%.

District-wide coverage performance

According to official campaign data received by APP, results varied across tehsils and towns. Kotli Sattian recorded the highest coverage rate at 91.6%, reflecting exceptional community participation.

Rawalpindi City (83.5%) and Cantonment (83.1%) followed closely, while Murree (80.9%) and Kahuta (81%) also achieved strong results despite challenging hilly terrain. Taxila reached 78.9%, Gujar Khan 76%, and Rawalpindi Rural 68.9%.

Kallar Syedan, however, reported the lowest coverage rate at 58.6%, highlighting the need for improved outreach efforts in the area.

Two-pronged vaccination strategy

The District Health Authority (DHA) adopted a dual approach: in-school vaccination campaigns alongside extensive community outreach. Health workers stationed at allied hospitals, primary healthcare centers, and Basic Health Units ensured that both urban and rural populations had access to the vaccine.

Community-based efforts proved especially effective, accounting for more than 72% of all doses administered.

Safety and public confidence

The safety of the vaccination process was a key focus of the campaign. Out of the 307,421 doses administered, only two minor cases of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs) were reported.

Health officials highlighted this extremely low figure as proof of the vaccine’s reliability, boosting public trust and demonstrating its suitability for wider rollouts.

Official praise and public cooperation

Dr. Ehsan Ghani, CEO of the DHA, praised the tireless efforts of health teams and the cooperation of parents who allowed their daughters to be vaccinated. He expressed confidence that coverage rates would improve in future campaigns.

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“Such dedication shows the potential for even greater success in upcoming drives,” he said.

Vaccine hesitancy: Key barrier

Despite the campaign’s achievements, 64,610 girls were missed. According to DHA spokesman Dr. Waqar Ahmad, over 70% of these cases stemmed from parental or individual refusals, underscoring vaccine hesitancy as a major obstacle.

He emphasized that DHA is now analysing these gaps to address misconceptions and strengthen public awareness. “This analysis will be critical in designing targeted interventions to boost participation and ensure higher coverage in the future,” he added.