HPV vaccination drive covers only 5% of targeted 40,000 girls in Meghalaya
Shillong, Sept 3: The HPV vaccination drive against cervical cancer has hit a major hurdle – hesitation among parents – resulting in only 5 per cent of the target population covered since the launch in February.
Of the 40,000 girls targeted in Meghalaya, only 1,841 have taken the vaccine so far, NHM Mission Director Ramkumar S told reporters on Thursday.
“Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer among women in Meghalaya. We have vaccines that have been tried and tested globally. If given at the right age, it is highly effective in preventing cervical cancer,” Ramkumar said.
HPV vaccination has been available in many countries since 2008 while India launched the campaign only this year.
Meghalaya is implementing it across all 12 districts through government health facilities.
The vaccine is being given free of cost to girls who have completed 14 years of age, with sessions to continue till December 2026.
“Many still have hesitation. We want to address those issues. We have senior paediatricians, immunization officers and cancer experts to clear doubts,” he said.
He added that the state has achieved 90 per cent overall child immunization coverage.
State Cancer Society Secretary Dr Anisha Mawlong said cervical cancer is the only cancer that can be prevented by a vaccine.
“Being a matrilineal society, a mother is a very important part of the family. Saving these young girls from a preventable disease is our most important work,” she said.
She said the vaccine which was earlier costly is now free under the government programme and provides 90 to 95 per cent protection against cervical cancer.
Dr Mawlong also announced that the state will soon launch a mother-daughter initiative to screen mothers for HPV and simultaneously vaccinate daughters.
Appealing for support, she said, “We request the media to take this message that cervical cancer is preventable. We are saving our daughters and our mothers.”
