HPV vaccine will only be given to girls with parental consent in Schools

LAHORE: Punjab’s Health Department said that the vaccine for cancer of the cervix will only be given to girls after obtaining the consent of their parents beforehand.

The instruction clearly mentions that in no case should the vaccine be given without the consent of parents. The notification also orders school administrations throughout the province to make it a point to get parents’ consent before any vaccinations are administered.

To put this into action, the Health Department has circulated a circular to all CEOs of Education in all districts.

This action is part of continued attempts at promoting cervical cancer prevention while upholding parental rights in the vaccination process.

Pakistan initiated a historic HPV vaccination campaign from 15 to 27 September, covering 13 million girls between the ages of 9 to 14. Cervical cancer is the third most prevalent cancer among women in Pakistan, with more than 5,000 new cases and almost 3,200 deaths every year, thanks mainly to delayed diagnosis and poor screening.

The program supports the World Health Assembly’s Global Strategy to end cervical cancer, with a goal of 90% coverage in girls by age 15, 70% of women screened, and 90% of women diagnosed and treated by 2030.