Sindh Adds HPV Vaccine to EPI to Protect Girls from Cervical Cancer

KARACHI: The Sindh government has officially included the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) to protect young girls from cervical cancer.

With this addition, the number of diseases covered under the EPI has increased to 13. The HPV vaccine will be provided free of cost at more than 100 EPI centers across Sindh, but will only be administered to girls aged nine years and above.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Dr. Raj Kumar, Director of the Expanded Program on Immunization, said a circular has been issued to all district health officers, including those in Karachi, directing them to begin administering the HPV vaccine as of January 1, 2026.

He said the Sindh government has allocated Rs 797 million to the federal government for the procurement of the vaccine over three years.

Under the program, 700,000 girls will be vaccinated annually, with the federal government responsible for purchasing the vaccine and the provincial government covering part of the cost.

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The inclusion of the HPV vaccine follows a province-wide vaccination campaign launched on September 15, 2025, targeting girls aged 9 to 15 years. However, the campaign faced resistance, as many parents declined vaccination due to mistrust and misinformation.

Despite extensive awareness efforts through television, social media, and community outreach, the response remained limited.

Health officials said anti-vaccination narratives, including AI-generated videos and fear-mongering content on social media, contributed significantly to public panic and hesitancy.