Shimla, May 15: The Health and Family Welfare Department, Junga, organised an awareness programme on cervical cancer and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination at Government Senior Secondary School, Peeran, on Thursday.
During the programme, adolescent girls, particularly those in the 14–15 age group, were educated about the importance of the HPV vaccine and its role in preventing cervical cancer.
Dr Manoj Verma, Medical Incharge of Civil Hospital Junga, said cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women and nearly 80,000 women in India are affected by the disease every year. He said the Government of India launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign on February 28, which will continue till May 24.
He added that under the campaign, free HPV vaccines are being administered to girls who have completed 14 years of age and are below 15 years.
Community Health Officer W. Rani Verma said misinformation regarding the HPV vaccine was being spread in some places, but clarified that the vaccine is completely safe and does not have harmful side effects. She urged parents and students not to believe rumours and to take advantage of the government’s free vaccination programme, noting that the vaccine otherwise costs nearly ₹10,000 in private hospitals.
During the session, health officials also sensitised students about menstrual hygiene, tuberculosis infection and the measures being taken by the government for TB eradication.
School staff, health workers and a large number of girl students attended the awareness camp.
