D.I. Khan administration forms mobile, fixed and outreach teams for the proposed HPV vaccination campaign targeting 135,243 girls.
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Authorities in Dera Ismail Khan have set a target of vaccinating 135,243 girls against human papillomavirus (HPV) as preparations continue for a proposed campaign aimed at preventing cervical cancer.
A meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office to review preparations and arrangements for the HPV vaccination campaign. Officials and representatives of relevant departments were briefed on HPV, its link with cervical cancer, the importance of vaccination and arrangements for the campaign.
Officials said some types of HPV can cause serious diseases in women, including cervical cancer, while timely vaccination is an important means of prevention.
The meeting was informed that the HPV vaccine is given special importance globally for girls aged 9 to 14 as part of efforts to prevent cervical cancer. Officials also said the HPV vaccine is administered as a single dose and is included in national immunization programs in several countries.
To achieve the vaccination target in Dera Ismail Khan, mobile, fixed and outreach teams have been formed, while arrangements for the campaign have been completed.
According to the proposed schedule, the campaign is planned to run from Nov. 2 to Nov. 14, 2026. However, officials said the final dates may be changed because an anti-polio campaign is also scheduled to take place in November.
The meeting also discussed delays by some schools and religious seminaries in providing the required data for the vaccination campaign.
Deputy Commissioner Hikmatullah took strict notice of the issue and directed the relevant authorities to take action according to the rules against schools and seminaries that fail to cooperate with the campaign.
Hikmatullah said the HPV vaccination campaign was a national cause and that negligence or dereliction of duty would not be tolerated. He directed all relevant departments, educational institutions, seminaries and other stakeholders to ensure full cooperation for the successful implementation of the campaign.
He also urged parents to cooperate with the HPV vaccination campaign to protect the health and future of their daughters.
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