KATHMANDU: The government has launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls studying in Grade 6, starting today.
According to the Child Health and Vaccination Branch of the Department of Health Services, the campaign targets girls currently enrolled in Grade 6 as well as out-of-school girls aged 10 years and above across the country. The vaccination drive will continue until February 27.
In addition, girls studying in Grades 7 to 10 and out-of-school girls aged 11 to 14 who missed last year’s HPV vaccination campaign will also be vaccinated during this period.
Girls enrolled in Grade 6 will receive the vaccine at their schools, while other eligible girls will be vaccinated at designated vaccination centers.
Chief of the Branch, Dr Abhiyan Gautam, urged all eligible girls to get vaccinated, stating that the vaccine is 100 percent effective. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Nepal and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
Last year, around 1.7 million girls in Grades 6 to 10 and in the 10–14 age group who were out of school were vaccinated nationwide. This year, approximately 350,000 girls are expected to receive the vaccine during the 20-day campaign.
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