Ranchi: Three months after the launch of the HPV vaccination campaign for adolescent girls, Jharkhand has inoculated only 9,685 out of its targeted 3,87,778 beneficiaries, covering just 2.5% of girls aged between 14 and 15 years.
Campaign Launch and Current Status
The drive was launched by Health Minister Irfan Ansari on February 28 from Ranchi Sadar Hospital as part of the 100-day campaign to protect girls against cervical cancer. Although the government is administering vaccines free of cost at community health centres (CHCs) and Sadar hospitals across the state, the campaign has failed to get a decent response from beneficiaries. The drive is ongoing at 194 CHCs and 24 Sadar hospitals across the state. A single dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine costs around Rs 4,000 at private facilities.
District-Wise Performance
Till May 25, Dumka has recorded the highest number of inoculations at 1,676. Dr R K Singh, NHM’s state nodal officer of the media cell, said, “Another four districts have performed relatively well in terms of HPV vaccination with Jamtara recording 1,144 vaccine administrations, Chatra 974, Jamshedpur 818 and Khunti 648 during the period. On the other hand, only 8 vaccinations took place in Lohardaga, 32 in Ramgarh, 52 in Sahibganj, 105 in Hazaribag and 138 in Giridih during the same period.”
Reasons for Slow Progress
State immunisation officer Dr Vijay Kishore Rajak attributed the slow vaccination progress to several factors, including misconceptions among girls and their parents about the vaccine. “The minister launched the campaign on Feb 28 but it began on ground from March 30. Many girls are afraid of adverse effects of the vaccine and unwilling to take a shot. There are many misconceptions being spread by various entities, especially private hospitals, on the quality of the government-administered HPV vaccines. Many videos with misinformation are being spread to create panic and deter girls from getting inoculated. Many fear they may become infertile after getting the vaccine,” Rajak said.
Consent and Heat Wave Challenges
He added, “Many beneficiaries do not want to visit CHCs and Sadar hospitals on their own and get vaccinated. Also, a consent form has to be filled by their guardians before they get vaccinated. In many cases, parents give consent but refuse later.” Rajak further said that the drive is on hold for some days due to the heat and directed all civil surgeons to spread awareness among girls and their parents about the vaccine by visiting schools.
