HPV vaccines arrive in Nepal for nationwide cervical cancer prevention drive
A 15-day vaccination campaign is set to begin on Feb 5, targeting 1,688,900 girls aged 10 to 14, including those in grades 6 to 10 and out-of-school children.
KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population has received Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to combat cervical cancer, supported by the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI).
According to Dr. Pawan Jung Rayamajhi, Director of the Supply Management Division at the Department of Health Services, Nepal has received 460,940 doses of the vaccine, currently stored in Teku, Kathmandu.
Distribution to provinces will commence soon.
A 15-day vaccination campaign is set to begin on Feb 5, targeting 1,688,900 girls aged 10 to 14, including those in grades 6 to 10 and out-of-school children.
Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, Chief of the Child Health and Vaccination Section, noted that GAVI will supply 1.77 million doses in total.
Cervical cancer, primarily caused by HPV infection, claims the lives of four women in Nepal every day.
Factors increasing the risk of infection include early marriage, frequent childbirth, poor genital hygiene, and excessive smoking or drinking.
Cervical cancer remains the most common cancer among women in Nepal, followed by breast cancer.
Early vaccination is crucial for protecting adolescent girls from this life-threatening disease.
