HPV vaccine introduced in schools to combat cervical cancer. goa news
Panaji: The Directorate of Education (DoE) has requested all school heads to cooperate and support the roll-out of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination with the aim of protecting girls from cervical cancer.It has issued a circular to heads of schools stating that girls aged 14 to 15 years and 3 months will be vaccinated.The directorate has requested them to support the Director of Health Services in carrying out the HPV vaccination drive and to inform the parents so that eligible girls can be vaccinated.
Director of Education Shailesh Zingde said in the circular that vaccination will be available at government health facilities, such as Ayushman Arogya Mandir, primary health centres, community health centres, sub-district/district hospitals and government medical colleges and hospitals.To ensure that as many eligible girls as possible get vaccinated, the vaccine will be available from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm for three months. Thereafter, the vaccine will be available at the same health facility on regular vaccination days.“HPV vaccination is voluntary; however, parental/guardian consent is mandatory before vaccination of girls,” the circular said. DOE said that cervical cancer is a significant public health concern in India and globally.