Pakistan's 2025 HPV Vaccine Phase I Rollout: Community Response, Implementation Challenges & Way Forward.

backgroundThe International Agency for Research on Cancer estimated around 3197 annual deaths along with 5008 newly diagnosed cases of cervical cancer in Pakistan. Worldwide, introduced in 164 WHO member states, the HPV vaccine provides over ninety percent (90%) protection from human papillomavirus (16 & 18 types) infections. This article intended to document the vaccine (HPV) introduction in a low-middle-income country through the lens of EPI preparedness, vaccination coverage achieved, community acceptance, and implementation challenges during Phase I. METHODOLOGY: The research applied a qualitative and quantitative mix method to review the intricate procedure of new vaccine rollout within the national context. A qualitative participant observation approach assessed the planning, approval, and implementation phases of the HPV vaccine. Quantitative data statistics were evaluated for national & regional vaccination coverages, rapid convenience assessment findings, and adverse events reports.

resultsThe overall reported administrative HPV campaign coverage was 75%, with the maximum regional coverage of 81% by the Punjab, followed by 66% of the Sindh, 43% by the Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and 38% by the Islamabad. Rapid Convenience Assessment findings highlighted the main reasons for refusal (71%), with unavailable girls during the campaign (22%) for non-HPV vaccination. Community acceptance varied across the regions, with notable challenges in implementation being observed. Discussion & Way Forward: Initial phase campaign coverage (70.6%) was greater than the worldwide reported first dose mean coverage (61.6%) for the same multi-age cohort, indicative of an encouraging start in resource limited setting. Documented coverage was below the high-performing countries but comparable to multiple low and middle-income countries. Federal Directorate of Immunization, in collaboration with provincial EPI stakeholders, should prioritize including the newly introduced HPV vaccine in the routine immunization schedule of the Phase I regions and should also implement the lessons learned in the subsequent rollout phases in 2026 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 2027 in Balochistan & Gilgit Baltistan. Expanding fixed EPI sites for HPV vaccination, promoting school-centered vaccination, rationalizing outreach in marginalized areas, sustaining the cold chain system, implementing a culturally acceptable communication plan, and resolving internet connectivity challenges are the key strategies to address implementation challenges.