Patna: Adolescent girls in Patna can now receive the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine at hospitals closer to home, after the district health department expanded access in the wake of school closures.
Civil surgeon Dr Avinash Kumar Singh confirmed that vaccination is now available at New Gardiner Road Hospital, Gardanibagh Hospital, Danapur Subdivision Hospital, Phulwarisharif Community Health Centre, the Chief Secretariat, and the Shastrinagar Urban Primary Health Centre.
In addition to these centres, government-supplied HPV vaccines have been made accessible at major hospitals including IGIMS, PMCH and NMCH. Girls aged between nine and 14 can receive the vaccine by presenting their Aadhaar card.
The initiative forms part of the Bihar government’s Mukhyamantri Balika Cancer Roktham Yojana (Chief Minister’s Girl Child Cancer Resistance Scheme), which aims to protect girls from cervical cancer and other HPV-related illnesses. According to health officials, the vaccine can offer up to 95% protection against several forms of cancer, including cervical.
Vaccinated girls’ data must be uploaded to a government portal to ensure monitoring and documentation. Around 5,000 doses are currently stocked at the district warehouse.
To support the rollout, the health department has partnered with international organisations including the WHO, UNICEF, WJCF and UNDP. Ashutosh Ranjan of the UNDP has been appointed as the nodal officer responsible for training staff, overseeing portal operations and monitoring vaccine coverage.
