Hoshiarpur:- The HPV vaccination campaign in the district has been a great success. Hoshiarpur has secured the third position in the entire Punjab in terms of HPV vaccination coverage. Expressing happiness over this achievement, Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain has directed all the concerned departments to further intensify the campaign and make coordinated efforts to take the district to the first position in the state.
The progress and coverage of HPV vaccination was reviewed in the meeting of the District Task Force chaired by Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain. Civil Surgeon Dr. Mandeep Kamal, District Vaccination Officer Dr. Seema Garg, all SMOs, representatives of the Education Department and other officers were present in the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner said that this achievement of the district is the result of the joint efforts of the Health Department, Education Department and other supporting departments. He directed all the SMOs to organize at least one HPV vaccination session in every school by making regular coordination with the principals and management committees of government and private schools, so that maximum eligible girl students can be connected with vaccination.
He said that the school-based vaccination strategy will give further momentum to the campaign and there will be a significant increase in coverage. Also, the officers were instructed to personally monitor the vaccination camps and achieve the set targets.
Ashika Jain appealed to the parents not to believe in any kind of rumor or illusion regarding HPV vaccination. This vaccine is completely safe, effective and scientifically proven, which provides protection from serious diseases like cervical cancer in the future. He appealed to the parents to get their eligible daughters vaccinated and cooperate with the health department.
Civil Surgeon Dr. Mandeep Kamal said that the Punjab Government and the Health Department are giving special priority to HPV vaccination for the prevention of cervical cancer. He said that HPV virus is the main cause of cervical cancer in women and timely vaccination is an effective means of prevention from this disease.
District Vaccination Officer Dr. Seema Garg said that Hoshiarpur has secured the third position in terms of HPV vaccination coverage in Punjab. In the district, Binewal stood first, Mand Mander stood second and Buddabar stood third.
During the meeting, while reviewing the progress of various blocks, a future strategy was also prepared to further increase the vaccination coverage.