HPV vaccination campaign kicks off across the country from today

. KATHMANDU: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign has been kicked off across the country from today. The campaign, which is being conducted under the National Immunization Programme, will continue till February 29.

Chief of the Immunization Section of the Department of Health Services, Dr. According to Abhiyan Gautam, all girls studying in grade 6 and girls of 10 years of age out of school will be vaccinated against HPV. Likewise, arrangements have been made to vaccinate girls from grades 7 to 10 who missed out on last year’s HPV vaccination campaign and girls from 11 to 14 years of age who are out of school.

Through this campaign, the target is to vaccinate about three and a half lakh girls.TAG_OPEN_p_8 The Department of Health Services has urged people to get vaccinated by contacting the nearest school or health institution as the vaccination is conducted on different days in different municipalities.

Stating that the HPV vaccine is safe, effective and completely free, the Centre has urged people to get vaccinated with confidence.TAG_OPEN_p_7 Studies have shown that the HPV vaccine in early adolescence may be more effective against cervical cancer.

About TAG_OPEN_p_6 1.6 million adolescent girls were vaccinated during last year’s HPV vaccination campaign. About 94 percent of the people received the vaccination service during the campaign.

HPV infection is the leading cause of cervical cancer.TAG_OPEN_p_5 There are more than 200 types of this virus. It is estimated that more than two thousand women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year in Nepal. According to the Ministry of Health, it is the second leading cancer among women and is also the leading cause of death among women due to cancer.