Breaking News
"5.9 magnitude earthquake strikes Afghanistan, tremors felt across Jammu & Kashmir"
Srinagar Administration Issues Advisory Amid Adverse Weather Forecast
ACB files chargesheet against Uri Naib Tehsildar, Patwari in bribery trap case
NC Bartered J&K's Hydroelectric Projects, Says Iltija Mufti
"Is US sure it wants to turn back clock?" Iran FM's jibe at Trump's 'Stone Age' remark
PM Modi lauds Sanju Samson's T20 World Cup heroics, hails him as a true performer in crunch matches
Iran claims to shoot 2nd US F-35; pilot reportedly unlikely to have ejected
US imposes 100% tariff on patented pharma imports; India faces mixed impact
Don't talk about 'samosas', stop soft PR: AAP slams Raghav Chadha
IRGC launches missile strikes on Tel Aviv, Haifa in 'Wave 91' of Operation True Promise 4

HPV vaccine crucial to prevent cervical cancer among girls: Doctors

  • Mansoor Peer By Mansoor Peer
  • Comments 0
  • 04 Apr 2026

Srinagar, Apr 03: Amid a rise in cervical cancer cases in Kashmir, doctors across the Valley have urged Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among young girls, stressing that timely immunisation can significantly reduce the risk and serve as a key preventive measure against the disease.

On Feb 28, the Centre launched a free HPV vaccination campaign targeting girls aged 14 to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among women in India.

Prof. Sameena Sultana, Incharge Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN), GMC Srinagar, said cervical cancer was once uncommon in Kashmir but its incidence has increased significantly.

She stressed the need to opt for HPV vaccination, noting that cervical cancer has a high incidence across the country and continues to claim the lives of many young mothers. “It is a safe vaccine, and even a single dose can protect a girl from this deadly cancer,” she said.

She added that adolescent clinics are now available in hospitals and can be utilised to promote vaccination among young girls. Schools, she said, can also play a key role in spreading awareness, and the general public must be properly informed.

Debunking misinformation surrounding the HPV vaccine, she said cervical cancer is among the few cancers that are largely preventable.

Prof. Sameena said that while vaccines may have minor adverse effects, there are no serious risks or major side effects. “The benefits far outweigh any concerns. Even my own daughter has been vaccinated against HPV,” she added.

According to the Health Ministry, nearly 99.7 percent of cervical cancer cases are caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of HPV. The World Health Assembly has adopted a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, defining elimination as reducing incidence to fewer than four cases per 1,00,000 women annually.

Amid rumours in Jammu and Kashmir, health authorities have activated control rooms and media committees to curb misinformation around HPV vaccination. People have been urged to verify information from official sources.

Dr. Shahid Hussain, State Immunization Officer, J&K, said there is a need to break the social stigma surrounding cervical cancer. “If people receive any kind of false information, they should verify it from appropriate sources and not believe rumours,” he said.

He said the vaccine was already available in the private sector with good demand and has now been introduced in the government sector free of cost.

Doctors said cervical cancer is largely preventable through vaccination and screening, emphasising early vaccination, timely screening, and prompt treatment as a three-pronged approach to eliminate the disease.

 

As of February 2026, 160 out of 194 countries have introduced HPV vaccines in their national immunisation programmes. In the WHO South-East Asia Region, 8 out of 10 countries have rolled out the vaccine, and 9 have adopted a single-dose schedule.

Several Indian states, including Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Kerala, Ladakh, and Sikkim, have initiated HPV vaccination programmes, while others such as West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Goa have expressed willingness to implement them.

An ongoing ICMR study comparing single-dose and two-dose schedules of India’s indigenous CERVAVAC vaccine is expected to conclude in 2027 and may influence future policy decisions.

Jammu and Kashmir will vaccinate nearly 1.34 lakh 14-year-old girls in a three-month campaign against cervical cancer. After the campaign phase, the vaccine will be integrated into the routine immunisation schedule.

 

 

Leave a comment

Related Posts

How We Can Help You!

labore et dolore magna aliqua. Quis ipsum suspendisse ultrices gravida. Risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan lacus vel facilisis.

Contact us