PIB Hyderabad Organises ‘VARTA’ Awareness Programme to Educate Girls on HPV Vaccination
HYDERABAD, MARCH 16, 2026: The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Hyderabad, organised a ‘VARTA’ awareness programme on the occasion of National Vaccination Day to educate girls about the importance of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in preventing cervical cancer.
The session was held at the Government School in Musheerabad, focusing on encouraging girls aged 14–15 years to get vaccinated. The programme was conducted as part of the ongoing national HPV vaccination campaign, launched on February 28 for a duration of 90 days, aimed at protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer. A dramatised presentation was also organised to create awareness about the HPV vaccine.
Highlighting the importance of vaccination in preventing cervical cancer, Additional Director General (ADG) of PIB, Shruthi Patil, said that the Prime Minister has launched the HPV vaccination campaign to ensure that every 14-year-old girl receives the vaccine free of cost as a preventive measure against cervical cancer, with the goal of building a healthier India. She urged students to get vaccinated and encouraged them to spread awareness about the vaccine among their parents, friends, and peer groups.
Addressing common misconceptions about the HPV vaccine, Dr. Chandini, Senior Medical Officer, Central Health Services, said, “There are misconceptions that the HPV vaccine affects pregnancy or menstrual cycles in women. However, these claims are not true. The HPV vaccine is safe and can prevent nearly 90 percent of cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer among women in India. The vaccine can also help prevent oral and anal cancers.”
Teachers and girl students from the Government School in Musheerabad, along with staff members from PIB and the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), attended the awareness programme.
