PESHAWAR
A special vaccination campaign to prevent cervical cancer among girls was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at the Commissioner’s Office here by Commissioner Peshawar Division Captain (Retd) Khalid Mahmood and Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Dr Afaq Wazir.
EPI Coordinator Dr Arif, World Health Organization (WHO) Area Coordinator Dr Ehtesham, N-STOP Peshawar’s Dr Shams, Communication Officer Shahzaib and relevant officialsb attended the ceremony.
The province-wide campaign will continue from November 11 to 24, 2026, targeting eligible girls aged 9 to 14 years for vaccination against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is a major cause of cervical cancer.
In Peshawar district, the health authorities have set a target of vaccinating approximately 374,000 eligible girls. Special arrangements have been made by the Health Department and relevant institutions to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign.
Addressing parents, Deputy Commissioner Dr Afaq Wazir said cervical cancer was a serious disease affecting women, but timely HPV vaccination could significantly reduce the risk of developing it in the future.
He urged parents to ensure that all their eligible daughters aged 9 to 14 years receive the vaccine, stressing that public cooperation was essential for the success of the campaign.
He added that the support of parents, educational institutions, teachers and local communities would help achieve the campaign’s targets. The public was also urged to cooperate with vaccination teams and ensure that no eligible girl was left without this important preventive healthcare facility.
Commissioner Khalid Mahmood also highlighted the importance of vaccination in protecting girls’ health and preventing diseases. He directed the concerned departments to ensure effective coordination and take all necessary measures to achieve the campaign’s targets.
The campaign is being viewed as an important step towards protecting girls’ health, preventing cervical cancer and ensuring a healthier future.
