Shillong: Meghalaya ranks among the bottom four states for HPV vaccination, reaching only 2,075 of its 39,796 eligible girls since February. This 5.2% coverage leaves thousands unprotected against the virus that drives cervical cancer. State Immunisation Officer Dr. B.R. Marak released these figures Wednesday at the DERT Annex in Malki. She blamed the poor turnout on myths about infertility, safety fears, and parental consent issues.
District data reveals uneven progress. East Khasi Hills sits at 1.9%, Ri-Bhoi at 6.1%, East Jaintia Hills at 8.5%, and South West Khasi Hills at 17.4%. The free national campaign targets 14-year-old girls, offering shots at government facilities. Officials are now rolling out 'Teeka Talk,' a new initiative supported by Girl Effect India to spark direct dialogue with parents. The program starts in two blocks each in East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi.
Dr. Marak stressed the need for better communication, stating, "awareness drives must move beyond one-way communication and allow parents and beneficiaries to clarify their doubts." To fix the gap, she wants ASHAs to hit weekly targets and school-based sensitisation programs for parents. The state already trained health workers and prepared 145 facilities for 24/7 care. Now, the government wants to use the U-WIN platform to track registrations and coordinate between the Education, Health, and Social Welfare departments to reach school dropouts.
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