Kiphire workshop seeks to boost HPV vaccination among girls

Kiphire, October 13 (MExN): A district-level coordination workshop to strengthen human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and prevent cervical cancer was held at District Hospital, Kiphire, on Monday, with a focus on protecting 14-year-old girls.More than 50 participants attended the workshop, including district administration officials, frontline health workers, youth groups, women’s associations, school representatives, faith-based leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders.In his opening remarks, District Immunisation Officer (DIO) Dr Yelo T Mero urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure that no eligible girl in the district was left out of the vaccination drive.He said the single-dose HPV vaccine was safe, available free of cost and accessible at government health facilities across the district. Cervical cancer was preventable, and every girl in Kiphire should be protected against the disease, he added.Medical Superintendent of District Hospital, Kiphire, Dr C Kezo said the hospital supported the ongoing HPV vaccination campaign and appealed to families to bring their 14-year-old daughters for vaccination.He said the vaccine was available free of cost at the hospital and urged parents to ensure that their daughters were protected against cervical cancer.During an interactive session, participants discussed ways to build trust in the vaccine and reach parents in their respective communities with clear and factual information.Parents seeking further information were encouraged to contact their local Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) or visit the nearest health centre. Mero emphasised that parental consent and trust were central to the campaign’s success.Participants pledged to disseminate accurate information in their communities, address myths surrounding the vaccine and encourage parents to get their eligible daughters vaccinated.