Kanpur: To prevent cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine is being administered free of cost to adolescent girls aged 14 to 15 years. District magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh, who reached the Urban Primary Health Centre in Rawatpur on Sunday to inspect the vaccination work and appealed to parents to get their eligible daughters vaccinated. So far, 18,377 adolescent girls in the district have been administered the HPV vaccine.The DM said that infection with the Human Papilloma Virus is a major cause of cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective means of reducing the risk of this cancer in the future. Along with HPV vaccination for the prevention of cervical cancer, timely screening at the prescribed age is also important. This vaccine, which is expensive in private hospitals, is being made available completely free of cost to eligible adolescent girls by the government.He appealed to parents not to fall for any confusion, hesitation or rumours and to take their daughters to the vaccination centre. . He directed Health Department officials to run a wide public awareness campaign regarding HPV vaccination and ensure that no eligible adolescent girl is left out of vaccination.During the inspection, the DM took information about the presence of doctors and health workers, vaccination arrangements, and the health services being provided to patients. He said that people who are unable to reach the health centre, can visit the nearest Ayushman Arogya Mandir or Urban Primary Health Centre on Sunday to avail health check-ups, medical consultation and available vaccination services. He directed that patients coming on Sunday should not face any inconvenience and that information about the available services should be conveyed to the general public.Under the campaign, the HPV vaccine is being administered during regular vaccination sessions every Wednesday and Saturday. Special vaccination camps are also being organised on Sunday. ASHA and Anganwadi workers have prepared a due list to identify eligible adolescent girls. On this basis, parents are being informed about vaccination through door-to-door contact.District immunization officer Dr SP Yadav said that the HPV vaccine is a safe and effective measure to prevent cervical cancer. BoxRisk of cervical cancer remains for 41,073 adolescent girls in KanpurA target has been set to administer the HPV vaccine to 59,450 adolescent girls in the 14-15 years age group in the district. Of these, 18,377 adolescent girls have been vaccinated so far. In this way, 41,073 adolescent girls are still outside the protection cover provided by the HPV vaccine and the risk of cervical cancer remains among them.
