ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of National Health Services has initiated action to block social media accounts accused of spreading misinformation about the ongoing HPV vaccination campaign aimed at protecting girls from cervical cancer.
According to sources cited by 24News TV, the ministry has formally written to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), calling for the identification and crackdown on individuals engaged in online propaganda against the vaccine.
The ministry stressed that, for the first time in Pakistan’s history, a nationwide anti-cervical cancer vaccination drive is underway, but “false information circulating on social media is undermining efforts to raise awareness about the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing a life-threatening disease.”
Officials said the ministry has requested the registration of FIRs, arrests of those responsible, and the blocking of their accounts.
The national HPV immunisation campaign will continue until September 27.
