Between Hype and Health: Ethical Reflection on the HPV Campaign in Pakistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21649/akemu.v31i3.6276Keywords:
HPV vaccine, Cervical cancer, Vaccination, Public Health Ethics, Gender equity, Ethical challenges, vaccine hesitancyAbstract
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine represents a major advancement in global public health and a moral imperative to reduce preventable suffering. In Pakistan, the recent launch of a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign marks an important milestone in cervical cancer prevention but also raises complex ethical challenges. This paper examines the ethical dimensions of Pakistan's campaign, highlighting issues of transparency, informed consent, gender equity, and the neglect of cervical screening. It argues that framing the vaccine solely as an “anti-cancer” intervention and restricting its administration to girls risks reinforcing gendered and cultural inequities while eroding public trust. The authors contend that ethically grounded public health policy requires transparency, cultural humility, equitable access, and meaningful inclusion of stakeholders in decision-making. Vaccination, while medically essential, must therefore be implemented within a framework of justice and respect to ensure that the pursuit of the greater good does not compromise ethical integrity.
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