Uttarakhand Health News: HPV Vaccination: Uttarakhand: The National Human Papillomavirus vaccination programme was officially launched in India to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer. This major public health initiative was launched nationally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ajmer in Rajasthan and marked in Uttarakhand with a programme in Dehradun on Saturday. The nationwide drive aims to vaccinate girls aged 14 years with a single dose of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine also known as Gardasil free of cost in government health facilities.
Governor Launches the Programme in Uttarakhand
In Dehradun the Governor of Uttarakhand Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh Retired formally launched the state level vaccination drive at Gandhi Centenary Hospital. He expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for initiating this farsighted health programme and described it as a visionary step to safeguard the health of the nations daughters. The Governor highlighted that daughters are the future and a healthy woman is the foundation of a strong family and society. He called upon local health centres including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres to actively participate in the campaign across the state.
Phase-Wise Rollout and Vaccine Details
In Uttarakhand the first phase of the drive identifies 155 vaccination centres in government health institutions. Eligible girls aged 14 years will receive the HPV vaccine based on scientific evidence before they are likely to be exposed to the virus. This vaccine protects against four high risk strains of the human papillomavirus that can cause cervical cancer. In the private sector, the same vaccine is usually costly but under the national programme it is administered free of cost at government facilities. Adequate stocks have been ensured and healthcare workers including doctors nurses and frontline staff have been trained for effective implementation.
Government Commitment to Women’s Health
The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has stated that this campaign reflects the governments commitment to women’s health adolescent welfare and preventive healthcare. The drive will continue in mission mode for three months and thereafter the vaccine will be available on routine immunisation days at designated government health facilities such as primary health centres, community health centres, district hospitals and medical colleges. Across India the programme is expected to vaccinate over 1.15 crore girls aged 14 years every year with parental or guardian consent. It is voluntary and includes trained medical support and cold chain management at all vaccination sites.
Local Leadership Support in Health Services
Along with the Governor several state officials including the Health Minister, Member of Parliament, local MLAs and senior health department representatives were present at the launch event. This high level participation underscores the importance of widespread community outreach and coordination among various departments to ensure smooth implementation of the vaccination programme throughout Uttarakhand.
