A new study has found that high uptake of school-based immunisation against human papillomavirus (HPV) could also offer protection against the development of pre-cancerous cells in unvaccinated women.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reducing the number of vaccines it recommends for children, officials said Monday, a major shift that official say will bring the U.S. closer to

Self-administered HPV tests involve inserting a plastic tube — similar to a tampon — into the vagina, then twisting the handle to swab for cells that can be examined in a lab. Pap smears, on the other hand, use a metal or plastic device called a speculum to widen the vaginal canal so a clinician can swab the cervix for cells.

The childhood immunization schedule was reduced to 11 mandated vaccines. The CDC recommends HPV vaccine as a single dose instead of two. Families can still access non-mandated vaccines through health care consultations.

Sindh government adds the HPV vaccine to its Expanded Program on Immunization, offering free protection against

HPV self-tests allow patients to collect a sample themselves, instead of having a healthcare provider collect it.