SHILLONG, SEPT 4: The Meghalaya Health Department has so far vaccinated 1,841 adolescent girls against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) as part of its drive to prevent cervical cancer, officials said on Thursday.
Addressing the press, NHM Mission Director Ramkumar S said the current coverage is only 5 per cent against a target of about 40,000 girls across the state’s 12 districts.
The campaign, launched in February this year, offers free HPV vaccine to girls aged 14 years.
Ramkumar said cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Meghalaya, accounting for nearly 10 per cent of cancers diagnosed in women.
He said the vaccine, which has been in use globally since 2008, has proven effective in bringing down cervical cancer cases in countries like Australia, Japan and Taiwan.
“Given at the right age, HPV vaccination is quite effective for prevention of cervical cancer,” he said, adding that the vaccine is available at all government health facilities — PHCs, CHCs and district hospitals.
He said the low uptake is largely due to hesitancy and misinformation, and the department will intensify awareness drives in schools and through community outreach.
The state’s overall child immunization coverage has improved to 90 per cent, he added.
Secretary of State Cancer Society Dr Anisha Mawlong said cervical cancer is preventable through vaccination and called for greater community participation.
She informed that the government will soon roll out a ‘mother-daughter duo’ programme under which mothers will be screened for HPV infection and counselled for vaccination of their daughters.
“Earlier the vaccine was expensive and not provided free of cost. Now through the government programme it is given free to all eligible girls. Once a girl is vaccinated, 90 to 95 per cent chance of getting cervical cancer is eliminated,” she said.
The department has appealed to parents and guardians to contact their nearest health facility, ASHA or ANM to avail the vaccine.
The vaccination drive will continue till December 2026.
