**Preparations Intensify for HPV Vaccine Introduction in Punjab**
The Punjab health authorities have intensified preparations for the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into the province’s routine immunization schedule. The acceleration comes as the provincial Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), organized a comprehensive two-day operational workshop in Multan for district EPI managers. The initiative aims to ensure an effective HPV vaccine rollout, culminating in a province-wide campaign planned for September.
The workshop brought together district health officials and key stakeholders to focus on critical operational elements necessary for the successful implementation of the vaccination campaign. Sessions were dedicated to human resource deployment, cold chain management, real-time monitoring, management of adverse events following immunization (AEFI), risk communication, and detailed field-level planning. These topics were covered through technical sessions led by experts from WHO, UNICEF, JHPIEGO, and Acasus.
Senior officials, including Director General Health South Punjab Dr. Syed Ali Mehdi and District Health Services-EPI Dr. Samra Khurram, addressed participants and underlined the importance of robust planning at every administrative level. They stressed that thorough operational preparation will be essential to overcoming challenges and ensuring high coverage of the HPV vaccine.
Cervical cancer poses a grave public health threat in Pakistan, ranking as the third most prevalent cancer among women and the second most common among women of reproductive age. The upcoming HPV vaccination campaign is regarded as a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to prevent cervical cancer and improve women’s health outcomes.
