Lucknow: State govt on Saturday launched a state-wide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign to protect nearly 46 lakh adolescent girls from cervical cancer.The drive was inaugurated by deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Scientific Convention Centre of King George’s Medical University.Emphasising the importance of immunisation, Pathak said, “Cervical cancer accounts for nearly 22.86% of cancers among women. Vaccination will act as a protective shield for our daughters. Not a single girl should be left out.”He added that the dose would be administered free at all govt health centres.A three-month awareness campaign will also be carried out to motivate families to ensure their daughters are vaccinated.Certificates were distributed among girls who received the vaccine at the launch event.The rollout coincided with the national launch of the new HPV vaccine by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ajmer, for girls in the 14-year age group.
