Nagaland launches free HPV vaccination to prevent cervical cancer, targeting 14-year-old girls through government health facilities statewide campaign.
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KOHIMA — Nagaland on Saturday formally launched the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme against cervical cancer, following the virtual launch of the national campaign by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Launching the programme at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK), Anoop Khinchi, Commissioner and Secretary for Health and Family Welfare, said that the campaign aims to vaccinate all eligible girls aged 14 years across the country with a single dose of the Gardasil-4 vaccine at all government health facilities.
He explained that the health facilities will have cold-chain points and dedicated medical officers for adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) management.
Also read: PM Modi launches nationwide HPV vaccination drive from Ajmer
The vaccination drive will be carried out over a period of three months, during which the HPV vaccine will be available daily to ensure maximum coverage of eligible girls.
Thereafter, the vaccine will be available at the same health facilities on routine immunisation days.
The HPV vaccine is free and voluntary, and obtaining consent from parents or guardians is mandatory.
The official stressed that cervical cancer is a significant public health concern in both India and globally.
Citing data, he said that about 99.7% of cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection of the genital tract by high-risk types of human papillomavirus.
Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in India, accounting for 18.3% of female cancers in the country.
It primarily affects women in the age group of 35 to 55 years, leading to disruptions in family life, child upbringing and other socio-economic challenges.
He urged all stakeholders to extend support to make the HPV vaccination programme a success and ensure that all eligible 14-year-old girls receive the vaccine to safeguard them against cervical cancer.