Jammu: Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, M. Raju, on Thursday chaired a high-level State Task Force meeting to review preparedness for the rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Programme across Jammu and Kashmir.
The vaccination drive is scheduled to begin on February 28 across the Union Territory in line with the nationwide launch. The meeting focused on finalising the implementation strategy and ensuring smooth execution of the campaign.
Director Family Welfare, MCH and Immunisation J&K presented details regarding operational arrangements, including microplanning, availability of vaccines in all 20 districts, training of vaccinators and supervisors, cold chain management through eVIN, logistics distribution, surveillance of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) and digital registration and certification through the U-WIN portal.
Officials informed that the target group comprises girls aged 14 years — those who have completed 14 years but not yet turned 15. Girls who will turn 15 within 90 days of the launch will also be eligible during the three-month campaign period.
Around 1,35,340 beneficiaries have been identified for vaccination across the Union Territory.
The meeting also discussed the roles of stakeholders at state, district and block levels, with special emphasis on coordination with the Education Department and ICDS for beneficiary identification and community mobilisation.
Key advisory messages for caregivers included the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, a mandatory 30-minute observation period after vaccination, awareness regarding minor self-limiting side effects and availability of vaccination certificates through the U-WIN platform.
The Commissioner Secretary stressed supportive supervision, daily monitoring, timely reporting and functional AEFI committees at all levels. He also directed the Information Department to intensify awareness campaigns to counter misinformation and build public confidence.
Raju asked all departments to ensure seamless implementation and achieve 100 per cent coverage of eligible girls. He expressed satisfaction over the preparedness and said the campaign would contribute to the long-term goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health concern in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including Commissioners of the municipal corporations of Jammu and Srinagar, Mission Director National Health Mission, Director SKIMS Soura, Directors of Health Services Jammu and Kashmir, education and ICDS officials, medical college principals and other stakeholders.
