Una, July 8: Assistant Commissioner Vinay Modi stressed the need for extensive publicity and public awareness regarding the ongoing Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign aimed at preventing cervical cancer. He said that it is essential to disseminate accurate and scientific information about the campaign to the public in order to achieve its targets within the stipulated timeframe.
Chairing a review meeting of the HPV Vaccination Campaign organised by the Health Department on Wednesday, he said that the vaccination drive is being conducted across the country to prevent cervical cancer. Under the campaign, girls in the 14–15 years age group are being vaccinated. He directed Health Department officials to launch special awareness campaigns at the block level through Block Medical Officers so that more people become aware of the importance of HPV vaccination.
He also instructed officials of the Education Department to nominate a nodal officer in every government and private school. Further, he directed that parents should be made aware of the HPV vaccination programme during the monthly parent-teacher meetings. He also asked officials to invite women Zila Parishad members, Panchayat Samiti members and Panchayat Pradhans from the concerned areas to these meetings so that the campaign could be effectively promoted with the support of elected public representatives.
The Assistant Commissioner appealed to all concerned departments, the Rotary Club Una, Anganwadi workers and various social organisations to actively cooperate in making the vaccination campaign successful.
Earlier, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sanjeev Verma briefed the meeting about the activities undertaken and the progress achieved so far under the HPV Vaccination Campaign in the district.
Among those present at the meeting were District Immunisation Officer Dr. Richa Kalia, District AYUSH Officer Dr. Kiran Sharma, all Block Medical Officers, District Welfare Officer Awas Pandit, District Youth Officer Pradeep Kumar, District Labour Officer Akshay Sharma, and officials from various departments.