The Kerala Government will offer HPV vaccination to adolescent girls in Plus One and Plus Two classes free of cost to prevent cervical cancer, Health Minister Veena George said here.The State technical advisory group on immunisation (STAGI) will meet to take a final call on this within a week, she addedCervical cancer, caused by the Humanpapilloma virus (HPV), is one of the commonest cancers among women, for which an effective vaccine is currently available.Though the recommended age for HPV vaccination is 11-12 years, the vaccine is approved for use from as early as nine years . Early vaccination is recommended so that there is maximum immune response and to provide protection before any potential exposure to the virus. However, the vaccine is recommended up to 26 years of age if not previously vaccinated.The State will launch a major initiative to create awareness on cervical cancer and HPV vaccination across the State. The awareness messages will be prepared and directed towards the target audience strictly as per the recommendations of STAGI . Special awareness classes will be conducted at the school-level for adolescent girls. Parents will be taken into confidence and awareness classes will be directed at them too.The Health department has been organising several initiatives to prevent and check cancer. Diagnosis and treatment is being coordinated by networking all cancer treatment centres across the State into a Cancer Care Grid. The cancer screening campaign is also being strengthened and over 17 lakh persons have already participated in the ongoing screening campaign.The Additional Chief Secretary (Health), NHM State Mission Director, Director of Health Services, Director of Medical Education, the heads of cancer treatment centres and senior health officials were present at the meeting.Published - July 28, 2025 08:26 pm IST