Hoshiarpur: Under the leadership of Civil Surgeon Dr. Mandeep Kamal, and with the objective of enhancing the effectiveness of the ongoing HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination campaign aimed at preventing cervical cancer in District Hoshiarpur, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has granted a 90-day extension to the duration of this campaign. The aim is to provide an opportunity to eligible girls who have not yet received the vaccination and to further strengthen efforts toward cervical cancer prevention.
Providing details in this regard, District Immunization Officer Dr. Seema Garg stated that the HPV vaccination campaign was launched on February 28, 2026. Under this campaign, girls aged 14 years are being administered the HPV vaccine to provide them with protection against serious diseases, such as cervical cancer, in the future. She clarified that during this extended period, only those girls will be eligible for vaccination who have completed their 14th birthday but have not yet attained the age of 15 years.
Dr. Seema Garg further informed that special HPV vaccination camps will be organized at S.D. College, Hoshiarpur, on June 2 and June 4. Eligible students will be provided with free vaccination services at these camps.
She emphasized that parental consent is mandatory for the vaccination. Parents may provide their consent either through an OTP (One-Time Password) received on their mobile phones or by signing a physical consent form. Consent forms can be obtained from the office of the District Immunization Officer (DIO). Eligible girls visiting for vaccination are required to carry their Aadhaar cards with them to ensure that the registration and vaccination processes are completed smoothly.
Dr. Seema Garg noted that there are over 200 known types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) found worldwide, some of which can lead to cancer. HPV types 16 and 18 are primarily responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases in India. He explained that the HPV vaccine being administered by the government offers protection against four key types of HPV and helps reduce the risk of infection—and associated diseases—by building immunity within the body.
He stated that cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women; however, it is largely preventable through timely vaccination. The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective immunization approved by both the World Health Organization and the Government of India, and it has been successfully administered to millions of young girls and adolescents worldwide.
Civil Surgeon Dr. Mandeep Kamal reported that, to date, approximately 20 percent of eligible girls in the Hoshiarpur district have received the HPV vaccine. He emphasized that the cooperation of the Education Department, school management, ASHA workers, and parents is essential to further expand this coverage. He appealed to the Education Department to share lists of girls in the 14-year age group with the Health Department, thereby enabling the identification of the remaining eligible girls and ensuring their vaccination.
He noted that ASHA workers play a pivotal role in the success of this campaign. These workers are conducting door-to-door visits to identify eligible girls, raising parental awareness regarding the benefits of the HPV vaccine, and encouraging them to opt for vaccination. Furthermore, they are making significant contributions by assisting with the consent process, compiling lists of beneficiaries, and ensuring the attendance of girls at vaccination camps.
Dr. Mandeep Kamal remarked that HPV vaccination serves as a vital gift for safeguarding the health of the young women of Hoshiarpur, proving instrumental in protecting them from serious diseases—such as cervical cancer—in the future. He appealed to all parents, teachers, school and college administrators, Panchayat representatives, ASHA workers, and social organizations to extend their support to the Health Department in this public welfare initiative and to encourage eligible girls to get vaccinated. He stated that cervical cancer is a preventable disease, and HPV vaccination is the most effective means of protection against it. Every eligible girl should avail herself of this golden opportunity to get the HPV vaccine, thereby significantly reducing the risk of cervical cancer in the future.