Dharmanagar, Mar 10: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme for adolescent girls officially began in North Tripura district on Tuesday, with the first doses administered to two girls aged between 14 and 15 years.
The launch ceremony was held at Ardhendu Bhattacharya Smriti Bhavan in Dharmanagar. The programme was inaugurated in the presence of District Magistrate Chandni Chandran, North Tripura Zilla Parishad Vice-Chairperson Bhabatosh Das and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dipak Haldar.
Health officials said the vaccine protects against the Human Papillomavirus, a common virus that is one of the leading causes of Cervical Cancer among women. The vaccination helps the body develop immunity against the virus and significantly reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer in the future.
According to the Health Department, the vaccine is most effective when administered to girls between the ages of 14 and 15, before possible exposure to the virus. Officials noted that timely vaccination can reduce the risk of cervical cancer by nearly 90 percent.
The initiative is part of a wider effort by the Government of India to expand HPV vaccination across the country to protect women’s health and prevent cervical cancer.
Health authorities in North Tripura expressed hope that the launch of the vaccination programme will increase awareness among adolescent girls and contribute to a significant decline in cervical cancer cases in the district in the coming years.
