RCC to roll out HPV vaccination Oct 24

RAJSHAHI, Oct 17: Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) has set a target to administer human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to 23,510 students of 306 schools in the city.
This information was disclosed at a press conference held at the City Hall meeting room of Nagar Bhavan on Thursday marking the upcoming HPV vaccination campaign.
Speaking as the chief guest, Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner and City Corporation Administrator Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir said that cervical cancer is a disease that can be prevented through using the HPV vaccine.
Nationwide HPV vaccination programme is a landmark step by the government, he commented. The government will provide this vaccine free of cost.
HPV vaccine which prevents cervical cancer is globally tested, safe and effective. Health Department of Rajshahi City Corporation is engaged in this work.
The HPV vaccination campaign will start on October 24 and will continue for 18 days.
Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir also said, "Today's girl is tomorrow's mother. Health protection of the future generation depends on their good health. Emphasising the prevention of cervical cancer in women, the Bangladesh government has added HPV vaccination to its expanded immunisation programme."
Cervical cancer can be prevented with one dose of HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccination campaign is most effective for 5th to 9th graders and 10-to14-year-old girls in non-institutional community settings.
Highlighting the importance of HPV vaccination, the administrator said that one dose of HPV vaccine is enough to prevent cervical cancer. Media workers should play an important role in creating public awareness in this regard.
Mentioning various harmful aspects of child marriage and uncontrolled sexual life, he said, teachers, parents, representatives of civil society and journalists must work together to prevent cervical cancer.
Dr FAM AnjumanAra Begum, chief health officer of RCC, said that the national HPV vaccination campaign of Rajshahi city will continue for the next 10 working days from October 24.
Two vaccinators and two volunteers will remain deployed in 253 centers at the school level.
At the community level, the vaccination programme will continue in 60 centers for the next eight working days, which will begin on November 7.
RCC Chief Executive Officer ABM Sharif Uddin presided over the press conference attended, among others, by RCC Secretary Mobarak Hossain.

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