Karachi has shown the lowest HPV vaccine coverage in Sindh, according to Sindh EPI data. The campaign targets girls aged nine to 14 to protect them against cervical cancer. Launched on September 15, the drive will run until September 27 across 30 districts. Around 4.1 million girls are targeted, aiming to reach 1,190 union councils. Health officials express concern about Karachi’s lagging participation.
Province-wide, 57 percent of girls have received the HPV vaccine in seven days. Naushahro Feroze leads with 89 percent coverage, followed by Qambar at 88 percent. Districts like Badin, Sujawal, Ghotki, and Sanghar also show strong vaccination rates above 80 percent. Despite these successes, Karachi division overall has only 33 percent coverage. The district of Keamari records the lowest rate at 12 percent.
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Officials attribute Karachi’s poor response to misinformation. Social media influencers without medical expertise spread false claims about the HPV vaccine. Certain religious circles also opposed the campaign later, further lowering participation. Families influenced by these messages reportedly chose to “wait and see” before vaccinating daughters. Health experts hope parental counseling in schools can improve uptake.
Within Karachi, vaccination rates vary significantly. District West shows 65 percent coverage, followed by Korangi at 38 percent. Other districts like South, Malir, Central, East, and Keamari have lower rates ranging from 34 to 12 percent. Sindh EPI officials are increasing outreach and counseling sessions to encourage participation. Despite Karachi’s struggles, the province overall performs better than Islamabad, which currently reports only 18 percent coverage.
HPV vaccination is critical as cervical cancer is Pakistan’s second deadliest cancer for women. The vaccine is safe, effective, and provides complete protection against the disease. Health authorities stress that increasing coverage in Karachi is essential to prevent future deaths. Experts urge families to trust medical advice and protect their daughters with the HPV vaccine.