Online Desk  :  Countrywide HPV (Human papillomavirus) vaccination programme has begun today aimed at eradicating prevalence of cervical cancer among females. Under the month-long programme, girls aged between 10-14 years and studying from grade five to nine are being given the vaccine free of cost in their school or nearby health centers. Steps were taken to bring the girls of poor families who are not going to school or dropped out, under the under the vaccination programme. BSS Gaibandha correspondent said, HPV vaccine programme has begun in all seven upazilas of the district this morning.

Officials said, a total of one lakh 21 thousand and 260 girls of the district would be given the vaccine in 18 working days. Some 35,446 girls would be administered the vaccine in Sadar upazila, 23,229 in Gobindaganj upazila, 24,631 in Sundarganj upazila, 13,883 in Palashbari upazila, 13,221 in Saghata upazila, 13,000 in Sadullapur upazila and 7860 in Fulchhari upazila. Civil surgeon Dr. Kaniz Sabiha formally inaugurated the vaccination programme at Tulshighat Rebeka Habib Girls High School of Sadar upazila this morning. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kaniz Sabiha urged every female student from class five to nine to take the HPV vaccine to make their future safe from cervical cancer.

She sought cooperation of the teachers, school managing committee members and guardians so that no girl was dropped. BSS Chapainawabganj correspondent said, month long HPV vaccination programme inaugurated today in the district. Deputy Commissioner of Chapainawabganj Md. Abdus Samad inaugurated the programme at Chapainawabganj Government Girls High School. Civil Surgeon of Chapainawabganj Dr. SM Mahmudur Rashid was in the chair. A total of 89,691 girls in five upazilas of the district would be brought under the immunization programme.

Civil Surgeon office said, some 19,402 girls in sadar upazila, 31,879 girls in Shibganj upazila, 13,831 girls in Gomostapur upazila, 8,651 girls in Nachole upazila, 5,849 girls in Bholahat upazila and 10,079 girls in Chapainawabganj municipality would be given vaccine free of cost. The vaccination programme is being operated from 1,555 educational institutions of the district, officials said.