HPV Drive Begins in Jammu Kashmir  | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday launched its Human Papillomavirus vaccination campaign aimed at preventing cervical cancer among adolescent girls, with around 850 beneficiaries aged 14 to 15 inoculated across the Union Territory on the first day.

The campaign was inaugurated at Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar following the nationwide rollout led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ajmer. Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo joined the national launch virtually from District Hospital Kulgam.

Officials said the initiative seeks to vaccinate all eligible girls in the 14–15 age group in campaign mode across Jammu and Kashmir as part of efforts to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health concern. Authorities confirmed that arrangements have been put in place for vaccine supply, cold chain management, training of vaccinators and public awareness.

Senior health officials described the launch as a significant step towards strengthening preventive healthcare and protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer. The Health Department urged parents, educational institutions and community leaders to support the programme to ensure maximum coverage during the campaign period.

The initiative forms part of a broader national strategy to expand immunisation coverage and reduce the long term burden of cervical cancer through early prevention.