           TANK, Oct 07 (DNA):A vaccination campaign against cervical cancer will begin in Tank district on Nov 11, targeting 33,000 girls aged 9 to 15 years, health officials informed.
As many as 26 fixed and 23 transit teams have been formed to administer the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine across the district during the campaign, which will continue until Nov 24.
The Health Department organised a one-day awareness seminar for journalists to highlight the importance of HPV vaccination and prevention of cervical cancer. Dr Arshad Nawaz, Dr Inamullah Khan, Dr Musa Khan and District Health Officer Dr Nisar Barki addressed the seminar.
The speakers said timely vaccination was crucial for protecting girls against cervical cancer and noted that early marriages could increase the risk of the disease.
Journalists were briefed on the effectiveness and importance of the HPV vaccine, prevention of cervical cancer, and the need to ensure that every eligible girl had access to the vaccine.
The speakers urged parents, teachers, religious scholars, civil society and the media to support the campaign by raising public awareness and encouraging parents to get their daughters vaccinated so that the district could achieve its target.
