HPV vaccination campaign kick-starts across J&K

Jammu, Feb 28: In a landmark step towards safeguarding the health of adolescent girls and preventing cervical cancer, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign was officially kick started in Jammu and Kashmir from Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar here Saturday.
The campaign was started in J&K after the nationwide launch of the campaign by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi from Ajmer, in which all States and Union Territories participated virtually.
Minister for Health & Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, joined the nationwide launch of the campaign virtually from District Hospital Kulgam.
MLA Bahu, Vikram Randhawa; Commissioner Secretary Health & Medical Education, M. Raju; MD NHM, Akriti Sagar; Director Family Welfare MCH & Immunization, Dr. Poonam Sethi; Director Health Services Jammu, Dr. Abdul Hamid Zargar and other senior officers of the health department participated in the launch from Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.
The participants described the day as historic milestone in public health. The nationwide launch of the HPV Vaccination programme under the leadership of Prime Minister reflects the Government’s unwavering commitment to protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer and ensuring a healthier future for the nation.
The initiative aims to vaccinate eligible adolescent girls 14 to 15 years of age in campaign mode across J&K, marking a significant stride toward eliminating cervical cancer as a public health concern. Family Welfare MCH & Immunization department has made comprehensive arrangements for vaccine supply, cold chain management, training of vaccinators, and public awareness to ensure smooth implementation of the programme.
Notably, on the very first day of the campaign, around 850 eligible girls (14–15 years) were successfully vaccinated across the Union Territory, reflecting the strong response and coordinated efforts of the health and inter-sectoral departmental teams.
The department reaffirms its commitment to ensuring maximum coverage during the campaign period and urged parents, guardians, educational institutions, and community leaders to actively support and encourage eligible beneficiaries to avail the vaccine.
The initiative marks the beginning of a focused and determined effort to protect the future of young girls in Jammu & Kashmir and contribute meaningfully to the national goal of cervical cancer elimination.