Public health officials have urged parents to make sure 14-year-old girls receive the HPV vaccine, stressing that misinformation should not deter families from protecting children against cervical cancer.
The nationwide free vaccination programme for 14-year-old girls was launched on February 28 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In Tamil Nadu, the state government had already begun the free rollout in January in Tiruvannamalai, Ariyalur, Perambalur and Dharmapuri districts.
After the national launch, the Centre supplied Tamil Nadu with 6 lakh doses. The state public health department expanded the plan to cover more than 7 lakh girls across Tamil Nadu, and said over 60,000 girls have been vaccinated so far.
Officials said the pace has slowed in some places due to school examinations and parental hesitation about possible side effects. They clarified that fears about menstrual cycle disruption and the need for multiple doses are rumours, adding that the vaccine is given as a single dose and does not affect menstrual cycles.
They also noted that the vaccine can be taken free of cost not only in schools but also at primary health centres, and appealed to parents to allow vaccination in the interest of their children’s future.
