Pakistan's New Controversial Cervical Cancer Vaccination Drive

Let's be clear from the outset. The moment you question a vaccination campaign, the establishment labels you. They call you "anti-vaccine," "conspiracy theorist," or "ignorant." I need to make something very clear: this is not about being against science. This is about demanding real science, transparency, and ethical responsibility. It is scientifically proven and completely proven that vaccines cause a lot of serious issues. They cause mental issues, they cause immunological issues, they cause autism, and they cause several other things. This is a fact. Even one of the very famous creators of the mRNA vaccine technology, Dr. Robert Malone, has himself warned that these vaccines can cause serious bodily issues due to the toxicity of the spike protein and potential long-term effects we don't yet understand.

Now, we all know that some risks are necessary. The risk of a adverse reaction is something we might accept to be saved from a complete death from polio or a life completely paralyzed from polio. That is a calculated trade-off.

But what is happening right now in Pakistan with the new HPV vaccination drive is different. It is wrong, and it is being pushed in a way that makes me feel very suspicious. This is why I consider this drive to be so bizarre and why every parent should be asking these questions.

Important information

Vaccine Identification and Specifications

• Name of Vaccine: The primary vaccine used in Pakistan's national program is Cecolin®. Another vaccine, Gardasil® (quadrivalent), is also available in the private market.

• Manufacturer: Cecolin is Chinese-made. Gardasil is marketed by Merck.

• Nature of Vaccine: It is a recombinant, virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine. .

• Type: Bivalent Vaccine. This means it protects against two types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV): HPV-16 and HPV-18.

• Target: The vaccine targets the L1 major capsid protein of the HPV virus. This protein self-assembles to form virus-like particles (VLPs) that mimic the structure of the actual virus. These VLPs are highly immunogenic, meaning they trigger a strong immune response (production of antibodies) without containing any viral DNA, making them non-infectious and safe.

• Dosage: A single dose is deemed sufficient for the campaign, summarized as "one jab will do the job".

Scientific Development and Creation

Origin of Technology: The foundational research for HPV VLPs was pioneered by researchers like Dr. Ian Frazer and Dr. Jian Zhou in the 1990s. Their work led to the development of the first HPV vaccines.

• mRNA Vaccines: The user's mention of mRNA vaccines refers to a newer technology used for COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Robert Malone played a role in early mRNA research. It is critical to note that Cecolin is not an mRNA vaccine; it is a traditional protein subunit (VLP) vaccine. mRNA vaccines for HPV are in development but are not yet part of Pakistan's program.

Purpose and Rationale for Pakistan's Purchase and Rollout

• High Disease Burden: Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women in Pakistan, with over 5,000 new cases reported annually and approximately 3,000 deaths each year. The mortality rate is high (64%) due to late diagnoses and limited screening.

• Dominant Viral Strains: HPV 16 and 18 are responsible for 88% of invasive cervical cancer cases in Pakistan, making a bivalent vaccine highly relevant.

• WHO Elimination Strategy: Pakistan's rollout is a direct response to the World Health Organization's (WHO) "90-70-90" strategy to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. The first target is to vaccinate 90% of girls by age 15.

• Partnerships and Funding: The vaccine introduction is supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, along with WHO and UNICEF. This partnership likely involves co-financing arrangements, making the large-scale procurement and free distribution feasible.

• Integration into Health System: The goal is to integrate the HPV vaccine into the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) for routine vaccination of 9-year-old girls after the initial campaign.

Campaign Implementation Details

• Target Demographic: Girls aged 9 to 14 years.

• Scale: The aim is to vaccinate over 13 million girls in the first phase.

• Phased Rollout:

• Delivery Methods: Vaccination is conducted through schools, religious institutions, fixed health centers, outreach sites, and mobile teams to reach underserved populations, including the estimated 50% of girls not in school.

• Health Workforce: 49,000 female health workers have been trained by WHO to administer the vaccine, as male vaccinators are not permitted for this campaign.

Challenges and Cultural Context

• Vaccine Hesitancy: Pakistan faces significant challenges due to misinformation, cultural taboos around discussing sexual health, and a general lack of awareness. A study found only 25% of women in Karachi knew an HPV vaccine existed.

• Cultural Strategy: The vaccination is being promoted primarily as a preventive measure against cancer rather than a vaccine against a sexually transmitted infection, to align with cultural norms and increase acceptance.

• Logistical Hurdles: Reaching remote populations and ensuring the maintenance of the cold chain for vaccine storage and transport are major operational challenges.

Alternatives and Complementary Strategies

• Screening: Cervical cancer screening via Pap smears or HPV tests is extremely low in Pakistan, estimated at around 2%. The mentioned is likely Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA), a low-cost screening method suitable for resource-limited settings.

• Other Vaccines: A nonavalent (9-valent) vaccine protecting against more HPV types exists but is more expensive. Pakistan opted for the bivalent vaccine, which targets the two types (16 & 18) causing the vast majority (88%) of cervical cancers in the country, providing a cost-effective solution.

• Holistic Prevention: As noted in the search results, vaccination is only part of the solution. Strengthening screening and treatment services is equally critical for eliminating cervical cancer.

Key Partners and Their Roles

Organization Role in Pakistan's HPV Vaccination Program Government of Pakistan Leads the campaign through the Federal Directorate of Immunization (FDI); provides funding and infrastructure. Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance Provides critical funding, co-finances vaccine procurement, and offers strategic support.World Health Organization (WHO)Provides technical guidance, trains health workers (49,000), and prequalifies the vaccine for safety. UNICEF Supports program implementation, procurement, logistics, and social mobilization efforts. Jhpiego US-based reproductive health organization involved as a partner. Now, let's talk about cervical cancer itself. What we call cervical cancer actually occurs due to a virus. This virus is actually a group of close to 16 to 18 different types of viruses (high-risk HPV strains) that can cause cervical cancer. Let's be blunt: the main culprit behind this is immoral sexual activities. Immoral sexual activities are the main major cause for this cervical cancer and it is highly seen in these type of people. The global statistics show that over 80% of sexually active people will get at least one type of HPV in their lifetime. What happens is that during sexual activity, if one person is affected and engages in a sexual activity with another person, it transmits this virus. This virus is not so tough that a single exposure always causes a disease. There are certain time periods where sex must be avoided in order to prevent this type of cancer. For example, when a female is in their periods (menstruation), the cervical tissue is more vulnerable and it is exposed to such infections. During that time, even Islam says that you have to stay away from the woman. So if you accept these things and completely stop immoral sexual activities, you can actually just completely eliminate this risk.

Now, here are the points that make this drive so wrong and bizarre to me

1. The Complete Lack of a Pilot Study for Our Unique Population. When any vaccination drive starts in any country, the first thing the government does is to conduct a pilot study. A small-scale study on volunteers that allows volunteers to take these vaccines voluntarily to see their effect. There is no such comprehensive pilot study conducted in Pakistan. Pakistan is not a monolith. It is a society with significant genetic and ethnic differences. We need separate studies for:

• Sindh: Significant genetic difference between various ethnic groups.

• Balochistan: Significant difference between the Baloch community, the Brahui community (this is the name you forgot), and the Pathan community.

• KPK: Significant differences due to the tribal system.

• Punjab: Significant variation due to language and cultural barriers—for example, the Potohar region, the central Punjab region, and the Saraiki region.

• Kashmir & Baltistan: Significant differences in genetics and values between those who speak Punjabi and native Kashmiris and others.

We would need a total of at least 10-15 separate pilot studies across these areas that include the maximum population to know how this vaccine will affect us. To rollout nationwide without this is a massive, uncontrolled experiment on our children.

2. India's Rejection of Similar Drives and Our Shared DNA. India has experience with this. The same companies have conducted HPV vaccination drives in India. And in India, there is a very strange thing. They have faced serious problems. In 2009, a pilot study for the HPV vaccine was conducted in states like Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. Reports emerged of several deaths and severe adverse events following vaccination. This led to a huge controversy, a Supreme Court case, and the government effectively halting the drive for years due to ethical and safety concerns. They clearly had issues and said they cannot take this vaccine lightly. Now, there are a lot of side effects documented. Another thing we need to take very carefully is that Indian and Pakistani DNA, specifically from the Punjab region, is very similar to each other. If their population had such a severe reaction, why would ours not? This is a major red flag they are ignoring.

3. The Bizarre and Aggressive PR Campaign. The amount of money that is being used in order to do the PR for this vaccine is shocking. There are a lot of billboards. A lot of people on TV are showing that you must take this vaccine. Why are they doing such a massive PR campaign for a vaccination drive? This is not a pandemic. Vaccination is always a volunteer activity. The way that the government is pushing people and the way that every day politicians are on the TV suggesting that you need to take this vaccine is very bizarre. It feels like a sales campaign, not a health initiative.

4. The Insensitive Timing During a National Flood Crisis. Another thing that is very troubling is that recently, a huge amount of floods is in Pakistan. Since June 2025, floods have killed over 739 people, affected 5.8 million, and displaced millions from their homes, with over 2.5 million evacuated and thousands living in camps. So why start a nationwide vaccination right now? A lot of people are displaced. You should wait until they reach their home. Then you can do the vaccination because it will make things very clear and all of the validation will be done properly. Starting this when people are traumatized, homeless, and in camps is just so bizarre and unethical. It preys on vulnerable populations who cannot give proper informed consent.

5. The Company's Focus on the Third World. It is very important to note that the companies who actually push these vaccination drives usually do them in third world countries first. This is a point that I find very discomforting. It creates the perception that we are used as a testing ground for products that more developed nations might approach with more caution.

6. The Outdated "Bivalent" Vaccine. This is a bivalent vaccine. This is a major issue. There is already a vaccine available that gives you protection against nine viruses, not just two. The nonavalent vaccine (Gardasil 9) protects against nine cervical cancer-causing viruses, covering up to 90% of cancer-causing strains. Why would you purchase a vaccine that gives you immunity against just two viruses? No one in the developed world would purchase just the bivalent vaccine when a more comprehensive one exists. It is bizarre to me that our government would choose an inferior, cheaper option for our daughters.

7. The Existence of Cheaper, Effective Alternatives. This is not a death sentence. Cervical cancer can be avoided. We just need to apply specific measurements. There are Islamic teachings; if you follow those teachings you significantly reduce your risk. Furthermore, there are techniques that can actually check for cervical cancer at a very early stage. For example, there is a very cheap test a Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) test that costs roughly the equivalent of 50 rupees and can check the cervical cancer risk. People can actually start treatment as well very early. Why are we not investing in this screening infrastructure instead of a single, expensive, and irreversible vaccine?

8. The Unexplained Urgency and Expiration Concerns. One point could be that people think that this vaccine is being expired. That's why the government is pushing people to actually take this vaccine. This could be one of the reasons that people would think and will avoid injecting this vaccine. This is a legitimate concern when a drive is pushed with such unexplained speed.

9. The Neglect of More Pressing Health Crises. The government has such important issues to handle. For example, there are a lot of people who are suffering from floods. The government cannot give them sufficient aid. The government can also not give aid for other diseases. For example, there is a vaccine and treatment available for HIV. If you say that the amount of money you spend here, you should spend it in bringing HIV treatment and prevention, because HIV is way more dangerous in terms of how it spreads and its social impact. HIV is actually way more expensive to treat, and it is way more easier to spread as well it can spread by blood contact. This government approach at this time, when Pakistan is in very bad shape, actually shows that there is some type of problem in this as well.

I need to make a few things very clear. It is a personal choice whether someone wants to take a vaccine or not. This is a voluntary activity. If you do not tell people what is in this vaccine, if you do not create any study, then how will the people know what type of thing they are going to be inserted with? One vaccine, once inserted, cannot be reversed. There is no going back. Those molecules will remain inside you forever. So people must need to know what they are being injected with.

We demand the government to:

1. First, halt this drive immediately conduct a comprehensive, very comprehensive pilot study to check the effect of this vaccine in the Pakistani population across all ethnic groups.

2. Second, check the reliability of this company and the specific batch of vaccines being used.

3. Third, be completely transparent about the components of the Vaccine and all potential risks.

4. Fourth, halt this drive immediately until the flood victims are resettled and can participate voluntarily without pressure.

5. Fifth, explain why a bivalent vaccine was chosen over a more comprehensive nonavalent one.

Disclaimer: This article is presented for educational and discourse purposes only and reflects the specific concerns and interpretations of the author. It is intended to spur conversation and critical thinking about public health initiatives. The statistics and factual information on the vaccination program and cervical cancer have been integrated from verified sources including WHO, Gavi, and Pakistani health authorities to provide context to the author's points.