Free HPV Vaccination Drive to Protect Adolescent Girls from Cervical Cancer in Chamba

Chamba, February 19, 2026: A district-level coordination meeting was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repswal to ensure the successful implementation of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign aimed at preventing cervical cancer among adolescent girls. Emphasising the importance of inter-departmental coordination, the Deputy Commissioner directed officials to organise awareness activities in educational institutions to inform parents and students about the benefits and safety of the vaccine.

The Deputy Commissioner stated that discussions on HPV vaccination will be mandatorily included in Parent-Teacher Meetings scheduled on February 28, enabling parents to receive clear and accurate information. A total of 5,992 girls in the 14–15 age group have been identified across the district, and the Health Department will administer the vaccine free of cost through 27 designated cold chain points. The vaccine, which normally costs between ₹8,000 and ₹10,000, will be provided as a single dose in the upper arm.

District Immunisation Officer Dr. Vaibhavi briefed the committee about the preparedness for the campaign, highlighting that beneficiaries should not be on an empty stomach during vaccination. Officials also urged parents, school management committees, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and community representatives to actively support the initiative. Eligible beneficiaries can pre-register through the UWIN portal (uwin.mohfw.gov.in).

Senior district officials including Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jalam Singh Bhardwaj and representatives from various departments attended the meeting, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to strengthening preventive healthcare for young girls.