Mirpur: Medical experts have strongly urged parents to ensure immunisation of girls aged 9 to 14 against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), warning that timely vaccination can avert the life-threatening risk of cervical cancer. Addressing an awareness seminar at the District Health Office here on Friday, District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Fida Hussain Raja said HPV is a common virus among women which, if left unchecked, often leads to cervical cancer.
Dr. Raja informed the gathering that an effective vaccine has been developed to prevent HPV and its deadly consequences. He explained that cervical cancer, a cancer of the uterus, not only claims precious lives but also deprives many women of motherhood. He added that developed countries have been administering the HPV vaccine since 2005, resulting in a drastic decline in cervical cancer-related deaths.
Highlighting local efforts, the DHO said that in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, girls between the ages of 9 and 14 were vaccinated free of cost in September last year under the State Health Department. From January 2026, he announced, HPV vaccination has been made mandatory for all 9-year-old girls to further strengthen cervical cancer prevention. Parents were appealed to cooperate fully to help eradicate the disease.
The awareness session was organised by MERF, a partner organisation of the Public Health Department, and was attended by representatives of the legal fraternity, education sector, health professionals, civil society, local councillors and senior journalists. Participants were briefed through a multimedia presentation on HPV and the vaccine by HPV Focal Person Muhammad Riaz, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session.
Dr. Fida Hussain Raja emphasised that the HPV vaccine has no known side effects and is administered worldwide at a high cost, while in AJK it is being provided free of charge. He underscored the vital role of print, electronic and social media in countering misinformation and promoting accurate, positive awareness about the vaccine, terming the media a key partner in the fight against cervical cancer.