JAMMU, FEBRUARY 26: Additional Deputy Commissioner, Vidhu Shekhar today chaired a meeting of the District Task Force here to review the state of preparedness for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive scheduled to commence on February 28.
The meeting was convened to ensure seamless implementation of the drive and effective delivery of its benefits to the targeted beneficiaries.
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Harbaksh Singh; District Immunisation Officer (DIO), Dr Rashmi; Deputy CMO, Dr Arti Nayyar; Regional Transport Officer, Chief Education Officer and representatives of Jammu Municipal Corporation, Police, Information Department and School Education Department, among others, were present on the occasion.
The DIO delivered a detailed presentation on the public health significance of the drive, the target group and the logistical preparations undertaken for its smooth rollout. The ADC reviewed the preparedness in depth and was briefed on logistics, vaccine supply arrangements and the awareness initiatives to be carried out at the ground level.
It was apprised at the meeting that cervical cancer, caused by persistent HPV infection, is the second most common cancer among women in India. According to official data, the estimated number of cervical cancer cases in India stood at 79,103 in 2022, with 34,805 deaths recorded in the same year.
Girls who are 14 years of age and have not yet celebrated their 15th birthday constitute the target group for the vaccination drive.
The vaccination drive will be conducted at 28 designated government health facilities across Jammu district with effect from February 28, 2026. These include Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Akhnoor, Community Health Centre (CHC) Jourian, AAM-PHC Sungal, AAM-PHC Mera Mandrian, AH Chowki Choura, PHC Kathar, AAM-PHC Dansal, SDH Kotbhalwal, PHC Amb Garota, CHC Marh, CHC R S Pura, CHC Sohanjana, PHC Bhour Camp, SDH Bishnah, PHC Arnia, PHC Pargwal, CHC Khour, PHC Pallanwala, UPHC Sainik Colony, UPHC Subash Nagar, UPHC Janipur, UPHC Shastri Nagar, UPHC Digiana, Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, SMGS Hospital, Govt Hospital Sarwal, Govt Hospital Gandhinagar and SDH Jagti. Parents and guardians of eligible girls are encouraged to visit the nearest designated facility for vaccination.
The vaccination drive is part of a nationwide initiative by the Government of India to provide free HPV vaccines to adolescent girls. The drive is being conducted as a 90-day mega campaign to ensure rapid coverage.
The various departments in attendance were assigned specific roles and responsibilities to ensure maximum outreach and public awareness.
