Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in Pakistan: Misconceptions, Barriers, and Evidence-Based Safety.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63501/9j1dxc97Keywords:
Human Papillomavirus(HPV), Human Papillomavirus Vaccine , Pakistan, cultural barriers, Vaccine safety, Cervical cancer prevention, Public health education, Vaccine hesitancyAbstract
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has proven to be effective in preventing cervical cancer. Recently, the vaccine was launched in Pakistan, but public acceptance remains low. Ignorance, social standards, and mixed cultural-religious barriers, such as fear of infertility, promiscuity, and haram ingredients, fuel misconceptions about the vaccine. Contrary to this, scientific evidence constantly proves its safety and debunks religious and cultural myths. Several measures are to be taken to increase the public’s acceptance of the vaccine, such as conducting culturally appropriate awareness campaigns and engaging community and religious leaders.
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