Kolkata, July 14: The West Bengal Government has intensified its Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign by extending the programme to schools across the state, aiming to ensure wider coverage among eligible adolescent girls. The initiative, launched on May 30, targets girls who have completed 14 years of age but are yet to turn 15 and seeks to protect them against cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women.

According to health department officials, vaccination is being carried out free of cost through government health facilities and in coordination with schools, where awareness programmes and beneficiary identification drives are underway. The school-based approach is expected to accelerate coverage and help reach the state's target population of more than 7.65 lakh girls.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, while inaugurating the statewide campaign, described the initiative as a major investment in the health and future of Bengal's daughters. He urged parents, teachers, and healthcare workers to work together to ensure that every eligible girl receives the vaccine and benefits from protection against cervical cancer.

Recent health department reviews indicate that nearly 1.93 lakh girls had been vaccinated by July 10, prompting the government to strengthen implementation through school-level vaccination camps and awareness activities to improve coverage in the coming weeks.

Medical experts have welcomed the initiative, noting that persistent infection with high-risk strains of HPV is responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancer cases. Early vaccination is regarded as one of the most effective preventive measures and is recommended globally as part of cervical cancer elimination strategies.

With schools now playing a central role in the campaign, the HPV vaccination drive is expected to significantly enhance awareness, improve vaccine uptake, and contribute to a healthier future for adolescent girls across West Bengal.