A nationwide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign is underway, helping to protect more than a million Nepalese girls aged 10 to 14 against cervical cancer, thus giving this generation a healthier future.
“The vaccine is most effective when given to girls in their adolescence,” explains health worker Laxmi Shrestha. “That’s why this campaign is so important.”
The HPV vaccination campaign focuses on girls aged 10 to 14, an essential group for preventing cervical cancer in the future. The Government of Nepal, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and other partners aim to vaccinate more than 1.6 million girls nationwide. In the village of Lumbini alone, more than 266,000 girls are targeted for HPV vaccination. The vaccination campaign is primarily based in schools, but efforts have been made to reach girls outside of school. Community leaders, parents, caregivers, and teachers have been instrumental in this outreach. “No girl should miss out on this life-saving protection.”
