Jhalkathi, Oct 23 (V7N) – A month-long national human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination campaign, aimed at preventing cervical cancer, will commence in Jhalkathi district on October 24, in line with the nationwide initiative.

On Wednesday morning, volunteers from the Youth Action Society (YAS), including Maryam Akhtar Anu, Achia Yasmin Tithi, Md. Naeem Hasan Emon, Md. Rabiul, Md. Raihan, and Md. Mahin Khan Roman, conducted an awareness session at Adakhola Government Primary School and Adakhola Secondary School. The session, organized by the Health Department and UNICEF, informed students from grades 5 to 9 about the HPV vaccination process and registration requirements.

Similar awareness activities were held earlier in other educational institutions, including Lebubuniya Daruch Chalam Hamidiya Dakhil Madrasa, Mahmudia Dakhil Madrasa, and Anwara Khatun Girls Secondary School. The campaign will run from October 24 to November 7 for in-school girls and from November 9 to November 24 for out-of-school girls aged 10 to 14 years.

The campaign is being launched with the slogan, "Take one dose of HPV vaccine, prevent cervical cancer," and aims to vaccinate 32,452 girls across the district. Vaccination will be available free of charge at educational institutions and permanent centers from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM every working day, excluding public holidays. Girls without birth registration can still receive the vaccine through a white-listing process.

This HPV vaccination campaign is part of a larger effort by the Ministry of Health to protect the next generation of women from cervical cancer, and registration is available through the ministry's website.

END/AI/AJ