Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population has launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, targeting girls aged 10 to 14 years as part of ongoing efforts to prevent cervical cancer — the country’s second-most common cancer among women and a major cause of cancer-related deaths.
The campaign, instructed to be completed within about three weeks, began this month and covers schoolgirls, especially those in Grade 6, as well as out-of-school girls aged 10 and above. It also includes girls in Grades 7–10 and those aged 11–14 who missed vaccination in previous rounds. Vaccinations are being administered at schools and designated health centres nationwide.
The drive aims to reach tens of thousands of eligible girls, with local districts deploying teams across hundreds of schools and health posts to make the vaccine widely accessible. In Dhankuta district alone, for example, health authorities plan to vaccinate more than 1,200 girls at 215 locations over a three-day period.
The campaign builds on earlier national efforts. In 2025, the Ministry integrated the HPV vaccine into the routine immunisation schedule, and last year’s nationwide drive saw high coverage through coordinated outreach across provinces. Public health experts stress that HPV vaccination is highly effective when given before exposure to the virus and plays a crucial role in reducing the burden of cervical cancer in Nepal.
Officials are urging parents and communities to ensure eligible girls are vaccinated promptly, emphasizing the safety and preventive benefits of the HPV vaccine against cancers caused by the virus.
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