MERF Strengthens Capacity for HPV Vaccine Demand Generation Ahead of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rollout

Peshawar, Pakistan: Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation (MERF), with the support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and MannionDaniels, has launched a two-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop in Peshawar to strengthen the capacity of frontline teams for the upcoming Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine rollout across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The workshop brings together health communicators, social and behavior change professionals, and field teams to enhance their knowledge and skills in community engagement, vaccine demand generation, and effective risk communication. The initiative is designed to build public confidence in the HPV vaccine and ensure that eligible girls receive protection against cervical cancer.

The training sessions focus on key areas including Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) approaches, community messaging, mass media engagement, effective use of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, and strategies to address myths and misconceptions surrounding HPV vaccination. Participants also engaged in practical group exercises and interactive discussions to strengthen their ability to respond to community concerns with confidence and accuracy.

The workshop commenced with a comprehensive recap of the first day, reinforcing core concepts and ensuring participants are well prepared to support the campaign in their respective districts.

This initiative builds on MERF’s successful implementation of the HPV vaccination campaign across seven districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in 2025, where strategic community mobilization and evidence-based SBCC interventions contributed to increased awareness and vaccine acceptance. The lessons learned from that experience are now being applied to support the upcoming rollout in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

MERF recognizes that vaccine availability alone is not enough. Effective demand generation plays a vital role in increasing vaccine uptake by fostering trust, addressing misinformation, and empowering communities with accurate information. Through trained frontline teams, culturally appropriate communication, and strong community partnerships, MERF is committed to ensuring that no eligible girl is left behind.

The HPV vaccine demand generation initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Health Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and partner Civil Society Organizations including ADWO, KDO, and SABAWON across Peshawar, Karak, Khyber, Kurram, Nowshera, and Mardan districts.