HPV Vaccine & Cervical Cancer: What Parents Must Know

What does it mean?

Cervical cancer grows in the cervix — the entrance of the uterus — and it is one of the few cancers we can actually prevent with a vaccine and catch early with screening. Almost every case is caused by a common virus called HPV (human papillomavirus), spread through sexual contact. In Pakistan, cervical cancer is the 3rd most common cancer overall in women — and the 2nd most common cancer in women aged 15 to 44 — killing thousands every year, mostly because it is found too late. (Worldwide, cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer in women — that global ranking is where the "4th" mix-up usually comes from.) In September 2025, Pakistan launched its first-ever national HPV vaccination campaign for young girls — a historic step. But rumours and misinformation (including false claims that the vaccine causes infertility) are keeping some parents away. This article gives you the verified facts so you can decide with confidence.

Common causes

• 1Almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to HPV infection
  , according to WHO's cervical cancer page. Most HPV infections cause no symptoms and clear on their own — but persistent infection with high-risk types can cause cancer years later.
• 2The global toll is huge:
  about 660,000 women were diagnosed and 350,000 died in 2022, per WHO. In Pakistan, cervical cancer affects over 5,000 women every year and kills about 3,200 of them (64%), according to WHO Pakistan.
• 3The vaccine is safe and effective.
  WHO's HPV fact sheet) states that HPV vaccines are safe, effective, and routinely used in many countries, and are recommended in early adolescence, ages 9–14, with girls as the priority group.
• 4Pakistan's historic campaign:
  on 15 September 2025, Pakistan launched its first-ever HPV vaccination campaign targeting 13 million girls aged 9–14 in Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir — with a free single dose given at schools, madrassas, health centres and mobile teams, supported by WHO, UNICEF and Gavi, reports WHO EMRO. About 9.6 million girls were vaccinated, and the programme is expanding to more provinces.
• 5The infertility rumour is false.
  Pakistan's Federal Health Minister publicly vaccinated his own daughter during the campaign to counter baseless rumours, stating the vaccine is "safe, effective and essential for protecting our girls" (WHO EMRO report). There is no scientific evidence that the HPV vaccine causes infertility.
• 6Screening still matters — even after vaccination.
  The American Cancer Society's guidelines recommend starting cervical screening at age 25: a primary HPV test every 5 years (ages 25–65); where HPV testing is unavailable, a Pap test every 3 years or a Pap+HPV co-test every 5 years are acceptable alternatives. Screening can usually stop after 65 with a history of normal results.
• 7When caught early, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable cancers
  , says WHO — which is why both vaccination and screening matter.

When to worry

Prevention & practical tips

• ✓Vaccinate your daughters (ages 9–14). If your daughter missed the 2025 campaign, ask at your nearest government health centre, EPI centre or school health programme — the vaccine is free under the national programme. Pakistan's national programme uses the single-dose option permitted by WHO.
• ✓Do not believe social media rumours. The vaccine is WHO-prequalified, used in 150+ countries, and Pakistan's own health minister gave it to his daughter publicly. WHO's global position agrees — its HPV vaccine position paper (December 2022), based on SAGE recommendations, affirms the vaccine's safety and effectiveness. If you have doubts, ask a doctor — not a forwarded video.
• ✓Women 25 and older: get screened. Ask your gynaecologist about Pap tests or HPV testing at the recommended intervals — even if you feel perfectly fine and even if you were vaccinated. Screening finds pre-cancer changes before they become cancer.
• ✓Know the symptoms and never ignore bleeding. See a doctor promptly for any abnormal vaginal bleeding (see red flags below).
• ✓Talk about it. Cervical cancer thrives in silence. Mothers, talk to your daughters; husbands, support your wives' screening visits. There is no shame in preventing cancer.
• ✓Boys and men: HPV also causes other cancers and genital warts in men. The priority is vaccinating girls, but everyone benefits from awareness.

FAQs

References

• WHO's cervical cancer page: https://www.who.int/health-topics/cervical-cancer
• WHO Pakistan: https://www.emro.who.int/pak/pakistan-news/against-the-odds-pakistans-health-heroes-protecting-girls-from-cervical-cancer.html
• WHO's HPV fact sheet: https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-sheets/item/human-papillomavirus-(hpv
• WHO EMRO: https://www.emro.who.int/pak/pakistan-news/pakistan-joins-150-countries-to-protect-13-million-girls-from-cervical-cancer-with-who-prequalified-vaccine.html
• American Cancer Society's guidelines: https://www.yalemedicine.org/departments/smilow-cancer-screening-and-prevention-program/cervicalcancerscreeninginfo
• HPV vaccine position paper (December 2022): https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-wer9750-645-672