Srinagar, Aug 22: In a major public health initiative, the Health and Medical Education Department of Jammu and Kashmir has launched a free vaccination drive to prevent cervical cancer among girls aged 9 to 15 years. The campaign, being implemented for the first time in the Union Territory, is currently underway at the State Cancer Institute (SCI) at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu.
The drive aims to protect young girls from the human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer, through timely immunisation. The vaccine is being provided at no cost under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), following age recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO). Officials said the initiative is part of the broader goal to make Jammu and Kashmir cervical cancer-free by 2030.
Dr Bhavna Langer, Nodal Officer of the Preventive Oncology Unit at SCI, GMC Jammu, said that in addition to the centre-based vaccinations, the drive will be extended to schools, Anganwadi centres, and urban slums through outreach sessions to ensure wider coverage.
“We have been working on awareness campaigns about cervical, breast, and oral cancers through community camps. Considering that the HPV vaccine is now available in the country and cervical cancer ranks as the second most common cancer in Jammu, it became essential to roll out this programme on a larger scale,” she said.
Dr Langer noted that girls from any part of Jammu can avail themselves of the vaccine at SCI, adding that it is most effective when administered before the onset of sexual activity, ideally between the ages of 9 and 11.
Supporting the initiative, Principal GMC Jammu Dr Ashutosh Gupta said that cervical cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women in India and also in Jammu province. “The major risk factor is persistent HPV infection, particularly types 16 and 18. This cancer is largely preventable through timely immunisation with the HPV vaccine,” he said.
Medical experts have expressed concern over the increasing number of cervical cancer cases in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the National Cancer Registry Programme, J&K ranked 17th among Indian states and union territories in 2023 for cervical cancer prevalence, with 684 new cases reported that year. The data also shows a steady year-on-year rise, from 612 cases in 2019 to 684 in 2023.
Dr Rukhsana Sami, Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at GMC Srinagar, said they are seeing a rise in HPV-positive cervical cancer cases across various districts, including Srinagar. “We’re increasingly getting patients who are HPV 16 and 18 positive. These two strains are responsible for nearly 90 to 95 percent of cervical cancer cases,” she said.
She emphasised that while the disease typically presents in women after the age of 45, the pathological changes often begin a decade or more earlier, which is why early vaccination is crucial. “The ideal time for vaccination is before the onset of sexual activity, although sexually active women can also benefit from it, provided they test negative for HPV through proper screening,” she said.
Dr Sami also stressed the importance of preventive measures such as early vaccination, comprehensive sex education, personal hygiene, single-partner sexual behaviour, and the consistent use of condoms. “Management of immune compromising conditions like diabetes and HIV, along with healthy dietary practices and regular screening, also play a vital role,” she added.
The rollout of the HPV vaccination drive marks a significant step in combating a disease that is now emerging as a growing threat in the region. With increased awareness, early immunisation, and targeted public health strategies, authorities hope to curb the rise in cases and protect future generations from a preventable form of cancer.
