The government has started a nationwide ‘Human Papillomavirus’ (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls studying in grade six from today.

According to the Child Health and Vaccination Branch of the Department of Health Services, vaccination has begun for girls studying in grade six and out-of-school girls aged 10 years and above across the country from today. 

The campaign will run until February 27.

During the campaign, girls currently studying in grades seven to 10 and out-of-school girls aged 11 to 14 who missed out on last year’s HPV vaccination campaign will also be vaccinated.

Girls studying in grade 6 will be vaccinated at schools and other girls at vaccination centers.

Chief of the Branch, Dr Abhiyan Gautam urged everyone to get vaccinated as the vaccine is 100% effective. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women in Nepal, and it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women.

Last year, around 1.7 million girls in grades six to 10 and out-of-school age groups of 10 to 14 across the country were vaccinated. 

According to the branch, about 350,000 children will be vaccinated against cervical cancer during the 20-day campaign.