Rawalpindi District Health Authority has decided to include cervical cancer vaccination in its child immunization campaign.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Health Rawalpindi, Dr. Ehsan Ghani, said the immunization drive will now protect children from 13 deadly diseases. The cervical cancer vaccine will be given only to 9-year-old girls.
According to the Health Department, the campaign will run throughout the year starting from February next year. This year, HPV vaccines were administered to girls aged 9 to 14.
Dr. Ghani said the HPV vaccination campaign achieved 94 percent of its target. He added that cervical cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in women.
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He explained that the vaccine, when given at the age of 9, helps protect girls in the future. “There is no truth in propaganda linking the HPV vaccine with infertility. It has no serious side effects,” he stated.
Dr. Ghani further said that a mild fever may occur but it goes away quickly. He urged parents to ensure their 9-year-old daughters get vaccinated, stressing that protecting girls from life-threatening cervical cancer is their main objective
