Meghalaya HPV vaccination coverage reaches only 5% of target

Meghalaya’s Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign has reached only 5% of its target, with 1,841 girls vaccinated out of a goal of 39,796. The campaign, which provides the vaccine free of cost at government health facilities, targets girls aged 14 to 15 to prevent cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Meghalaya, accounting for approximately 10% of female cancer diagnoses. National Health Mission Director Ramkumar S noted that the low uptake has prompted the Health Department to intensify awareness efforts to combat misinformation. Specifically, officials addressed and rejected claims linking the vaccine to infertility, stating there is no scientific evidence for such links and noting the vaccine is WHO-approved and has been used safely in over 100 countries for more than a decade.

To improve coverage, the state plans to engage community and faith leaders, distribute leaflets in local languages, and conduct awareness sessions in schools and during parent-teacher meetings. While the current focus is on adolescent girls, officials noted that boys in the same age group can also receive the vaccine to prevent transmission.