Prof. Dr. Khalid Shafi urges parents to trust HPV vaccine after daughter Ayesha receives first dose

Prof. Dr. Khalid Shafi calls HPV vaccine safe and essential for daughters

KARACHI: Prof. Dr. Muhammad Khalid Shafi, Associate Professor at Dow Medical College and a leading pediatrician, has shared a deeply personal message to parents about the importance of the HPV vaccine — the first-ever cancer prevention vaccine.

Dr. Khalid revealed that his 13-year-old daughter, Ayesha Khalid, was among the very first children to receive the vaccine when the Government of Sindh launched its historic campaign on September 15, 2025.

“Ayesha is healthy, protected, and now safe from the risk of cervical cancer. My message is simple — trust the vaccine. It is safe and effective for our daughters,” said Dr. Khalid in his heartfelt message.

A landmark campaign to save lives

Sindh’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) aims to vaccinate 4.1 million girls aged 9–14 years against cervical cancer, the second deadliest cancer for women worldwide. The vaccine protects against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) — the leading cause of cervical cancer — and is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as part of its global strategy to eliminate the disease.

Related story: Sindh launches HPV vaccination campaign to protect 4.1 million girls from cervical cancer

The campaign, inaugurated by Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, is being rolled out across all 30 districts through school outreach, community mobilization, and fixed and mobile vaccination teams. Girls who miss the initial 12-day campaign (September 15–27, excluding Sundays) can still receive catch-up doses, and from January 2026, HPV vaccination will become part of Sindh’s routine immunization schedule for 9-year-old girls.

Call to action for parents

Health leaders, including Dr. Khalid, are urging parents to overcome myths and misinformation surrounding vaccines:

• Trust the science: The HPV vaccine is proven safe and effective worldwide.
• Protect early: Vaccination between ages 9–14 ensures lifelong protection against cervical cancer.
• Support the campaign: By immunizing daughters today, parents are helping prevent tomorrow’s tragedies.

This united front from government, pediatric experts, and international partners such as WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, AKU, JPMC, Indus Health Network, and PPHI highlights a shared mission: ensuring no girl is left behind in the fight against cervical cancer.

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