PM Oli inaugurates HPV immunization campaign

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister visited the Baluwatar-based Shivapuri Higher Secondary School and handed vaccination materials to health workers from the Kathmandu Metropolis-3. The nationwide campaign will run till February 18.

It targets girls from grade six to 10 and the Department of Health Service also ensures access to the vaccine for out-of-schools girls aged 10-14. 

Under the vaccination drive, 1,688,900 girls will be administered the vaccine that protects against cervical cancer, it has been said.

According to the Ministry of Health and Population, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Nepal and on average, it causes four deaths each day. It is caused by persistent infection of human papillomavirus.