Nine 14-year-old girls administered HPV vaccines
Shillong, Feb 28: The National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign to build protection against cervical cancer was rolled out in Meghalaya aligning with the Prime Minister’s national launch in Rajasthan on Friday.
The campaign was officially launched by nine 14-year-old girls, who were the first beneficiaries, at the central programme chaired by Additional Secretary of Health Ramakrishna Chitturi at Ganesh Das Hospital.
“HPV vaccine is the only cancer preventing vaccine,” said gynaecologist Dr Shailinia Syiem, stressing its 90% success rate when administered early.
Women in their 20s and 30s up to 45 years can also take this vaccine and get protection of up to 88% combined with regular screenings, she said.
State Immunization Officer Dr PR Marak outlined campaign guidelines as officials highlighted Meghalaya’s rising cervical cancer cases — from 27 in 2020-21 to 332 in 2025-26.
The drive targets 39,000 eligible girls aged 14, with vaccination available free at government health facilities.
Over 9,000 health personnel have been deployed across 187 planning units, with beneficiaries registered on the U-WIN platform and eligible for digital certificates.
The vaccine, administered as a single dose, will be part of routine immunization after the three-month intensive campaign.
