Dharmashala: Under the Department’s Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) programme, the annual HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination drive for 7th-grade girls is currently underway across Tibetan settlements.
The campaign is implemented through settlement nurses, often in coordination with school health staff, following parental consent.
Since May, 118 girls have been vaccinated, with a target of 200 beneficiaries by the end of the year.
The primary target group in most of the countries recommending HPV vaccination is young adolescent girls, aged 9 to 14.
For all vaccines, the vaccination schedule depends on the age of the vaccine recipient.
Dharmashala: Under the Department’s Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) programme, the annual HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination drive for 7th-grade girls is currently underway across Tibetan settlements.
A single-dose vaccine is being administered, which, according to WHO, is highly effective in preventing HPV types 6 and 18—responsible for nearly 70% of cervical cancer cases worldwide—as well as associated precancerous lesions. The campaign is implemented through settlement nurses, often in coordination with school health staff, following parental consent. Since May, 118 girls have been vaccinated, with a target of 200 beneficiaries by the end of the year.
In addition to vaccination, awareness sessions are conducted for students and parents on the purpose of the programme, pre- and post-vaccination care, and the option of receiving a second dose privately if desired. The initiative was funded by the United States Government through the Tibetan Emergency Support Campaign (TESC) programme.
The primary target group in most of the countries recommending HPV vaccination is young adolescent girls, aged 9 to 14. For all vaccines, the vaccination schedule depends on the age of the vaccine recipient.
As per the December 2022 WHO Position on HPV vaccines, WHO recommends the following schedule: One or two-dose schedule for girls aged 9-14 and women aged 15 – 20; two doses with a 6-month interval for women older than 21 and individuals who are immunocompromised or living with HIV are recommended to receive at least two dosses, and where feasible, a three-dose schedule.
-Report Filed by Department of Health, CTA
