KARACHI: Pakistan’s health minister had his daughter vaccinated against cervical cancer on live television on Saturday to counter rumors about side effects, a symbolic move aimed at reassuring parents as the country rolls out the shot nationwide.

Since Pakistan began offering the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine this month, social media posts have circulated claiming girls were falling sick and that the jab could cause infertility.

Health officials and international agencies say the typical side effects are mild and temporary — such as soreness in the arm or a brief fever — and there is no scientific evidence linking the vaccine to infertility.

“Pakistan is the 151st country in the world where this vaccination has been administered,” Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said at a news conference after the televised inoculation. “Prior to that, this vaccine has been used in 150 countries in which almost all Muslim states are included.”

He acknowledged it was difficult to bring his family before the cameras but said he wanted to highlight prevention.

“Since the start of this vaccination, there has been negative and misleading propaganda,” he said. “Today I thought that no Pakistani mother, sister or daughter should refuse this vaccine because of false propaganda and then lose her life as a result.”

Pakistan introduced the HPV shot in September with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the Gavi vaccine alliance. The first phase targets girls aged 9 to 14 in selected districts, with authorities planning to expand coverage in coming years.

The vaccine protects against cervical cancer, which develops from persistent infection with high-risk types of the HPV, a common virus that can cause cancers later in life, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Vaccination before exposure can prevent most cases, according to the WHO, which has recommended the jab for adolescent girls since 2006.

Cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers among women in Pakistan.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a WHO body, said in April there were an estimated 4,762 new cases of cervical cancer in 2023, resulting in about 3,069 deaths from the disease.