Varanasi: Uttar Pradesh governor and chancellor Anandiben Patel on Tuesday described the HPV vaccine as a safe and effective protection against cervical cancer for girls and urged parents not to be influenced by rumours or misconceptions.“Do not be afraid. Face it. This vaccine is for your protection,” the governor said while appealing to girls and their parents.She was addressing the convocation ceremony of Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith at the Rudraksh Convention Centre in Varanasi, where she also presented gold medals to meritorious students.Patel said scientific research has established that the HPV vaccine is safe and helps reduce the risk of cervical cancer in the future. She urged parents to ensure the timely vaccination of their daughters and avoid unnecessary fears.Fresh support was also extended during the event to the government-run HPV vaccination campaign, which aims to protect girls from cervical cancer. Under the campaign, girls who have completed 14 years of age and are below 15 years are being administered the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.The Governor personally handed over vaccination certificates to girls after inoculation and encouraged them. Certificates were presented to Aaradhya Shah, Aditi Kumari, Mihika, Roshni Patel, Shabnam Khatoon and Palak.Emphasising the need to end discrimination between sons and daughters, Governor Patel said a healthy daughter is the foundation of a healthy family, a healthy society and a developed nation. She also appealed to capable citizens and institutions to support the campaign financially so that no eligible girl is deprived of this important protection.During the programme, 155 girls were vaccinated at the Commissioner’s Auditorium and 96 girls at the Rudraksh Convention Centre.Chief Development Officer Prakhar Kumar Singh, Chief Medical Officer Dr Mukesh Kumar, District Immunization Officer Dr S.S. Kannaujia and other district-level officials were present.Dr Kannaujia said the objective of the Government of India’s campaign is to provide the HPV vaccine to all eligible girls between 14 and 15 years of age to protect them from serious diseases such as cervical cancer in the future. The campaign is being conducted continuously in the district according to the prescribed schedule.
