Nearly nine lakh young girls in Rajshahi division will be vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) to protect them from various diseases, particularly cervical cancer.
Girls between the ages of 10 and 14 will be vaccinated against HPV during an 18-day campaign starting on October 24 in Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) and eight districts in the division, reports BSS.
Dr. Anwarul Kabir, the Divisional Director of the Department of Health Services, informed BSS that the vaccination campaign will cover girls aged 10 to 14, including those in classes five to nine and those not in school.
He mentioned that the targeted girls need to register at https://vaxepi.gov.bd/registration using their 17-digit birth registration number. For those without online birth registration, special arrangements will be made to ensure they receive the vaccine.
Dr. Kabir emphasized that child marriage and unprotected sexual activity are risk factors for cervical cancer, calling on teachers, parents, and media professionals to work together to help prevent the disease.
HPV is the name of a very common group of viruses. They do not cause any problems in most people, but some types can cause genital warts or cancer. HPV affects the skin. There are more than 100 different types.
Dr Anwarul Kabir said they have completed necessary preparations to make the campaign successful.
RCC Administrator and Commissioner of Rajshahi division Dr Humayun Kabir said the government has been providing the vaccine free of cost and the targeted people have been asked to complete their online registration to get the vaccine as early as possible.
He said teachers, guardians and members of the civil society should come forward and work together to make the campaign a total success.
Dr AFM Anjuman Ara Begum, Chief Health Officer of RCC, attributed that the HPV-Related cancers like cervical cancer can be prevented through the vaccine.
HPV vaccination can act as the body's frontline defence, shielding it from HPV infection and other associated diseases and cancers.
Bd-pratidin English/Afia
