Daijiworld Media Network - Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam, Jul 19: Visakhapatnam South MLA Vamsi Krishna Srinivas has urged parents to ensure that girls aged 9 to 14 years receive the HPV vaccine to protect them from cervical cancer. Addressing an awareness camp at Government Queen Mary’s High School on Thursday, the MLA emphasized that vaccination is the only effective prevention against the disease.

A free HPV vaccination drive for schoolgirls will be conducted in August, jointly organised by the Lions Club of Vizag Charitable Trust and Chaitanya Sravanthi, with support from Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA). The first dose will be given in August and the second in February 2026.

Chaitanya Sravanthi president Shirin Rahman confirmed VPA’s sponsorship of the initiative, while Dr I Vani, Superintendent of King George Hospital (KGH), highlighted the importance of vaccinating girls in the target age group. She also mentioned that pap smear tests are being conducted at KGH for early detection of cervical cancer.

Lions Cancer and General Hospital managing trustee V. Uma Maheswar Rao noted that awareness camps are being held in both rural and urban areas, including slums, to educate families about the disease and its prevention.

Others present at the event included retired DM&HO Dr. Sarojini, GVMC corporator Sadiq, Queen Mary’s School Head Master C.S.R. Varma, and Lions Club officials Ravichandra and Harinadh Chowdary.