Rajasthan Launches HPV Vaccination Campaign: 188 Sessions and 1,000 Institutions Ready
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Jaipur, Feb 28 (NationPress) On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the extensive HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination campaign from Ajmer, representing a significant advancement in the effort to shield women from cervical cancer.
This initiative aims to provide the HPV vaccine to eligible adolescent girls, thereby greatly diminishing their potential risk of developing cervical cancer in the future.
On the inaugural day of the campaign, a total of 188 vaccination sessions were organized throughout the state of Rajasthan.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma emphasized the importance of this public health initiative, encouraging parents to ensure their daughters partake in this vital program, which he described as a pivotal and enduring stride towards empowering women's health and achieving a cervical cancer-free future.
Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar stated that following the guidelines from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the vaccine will be given as a single dose to girls aged 14 years and under 15.
He highlighted that cervical cancer ranks as the second most prevalent cancer among women in India, and a thorough vaccination strategy has been devised in the state to combat this grave illness.
Principal Secretary (Medical and Health) Gayatri Rathore mentioned that over 8.32 lakh girls qualify for the campaign. The quadrivalent vaccine, Gardasil-4, will be administered intramuscularly in a 0.5 ml dosage in the left upper arm.
A total of 1,000 health institutions across all districts have been designated to carry out the HPV vaccinations.
Dr. Amit Yadav, Mission Director of the National Health Mission, noted that only health institutions equipped with operational cold chain points, designated medical officers, and internet connectivity have been selected for this endeavor.
Each vaccination site will be staffed by a dedicated team of vaccinators, verifiers, mobilizers, and volunteers.
Training sessions for ANMs, ASHAs, verifiers, and mobilizers have been successfully completed at various levels to guarantee the effective execution of the campaign.
The state health department has termed this campaign as a groundbreaking public health initiative aimed at safeguarding adolescent girls and fortifying the preventive healthcare framework in Rajasthan.