KATHMANDU:- The government has started a nationwide ‘Human Papillomavirus’ (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls studying in grade 6 from today.

According to the Child Health and Vaccination Branch of the Department of Health Services, vaccination has begun for girls studying in grade 6 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 7 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 6 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. (RSS)