The Ministry of Health and Population has instructed agencies to begin vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) from Sunday and complete it within three weeks, citing possible disruptions due to the March 5 parliamentary elections.

Officials say all girls aged 10, or those studying in grade six will be inoculated with HPV vaccine.

“This is a routine immunisation programme, but we cannot run it throughout the year, as the vaccine is given to a certain age group,” said Dr Abhiyan Gautam, chief of the Immunisation Section at the Family Welfare Division under the Department of Health Services. “All girls studying in class six are eligible for the vaccination, even if some are younger than 10 or as old as 13.”

HPV infection spreads through skin-to-skin contact and is a leading cause of cervical cancer—the second-most common cancer in the developing world. Cervical cancer is a major cause of death among Nepali women, with hundreds diagnosed every year.

Officials say that 345,000 girls studying in class six are the target population for vaccination, but an additional around 55,000 girls, who are out of school are also eligible to get the vaccine. Health workers will administer the vaccine to girls in schools, while those who are 10 years old and not attending school can receive the vaccine at health facilities.

Gautam said that the vaccination programme was slated to organise in the Month of Falgun (February-March) but has been rescheduled due to the parliamentary election.

“Vaccine doses have been supplied to provincial health offices and all preparations regarding vaccination have been completed,” said Gautam.

Although the exact number of patients suffering from cervical cancer in Nepal is not known, it is estimated that every day, at least four women die of the disease. BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur said that more than 700 women suffering from cervical cancer seek treatment at the hospital every year.

Doctors say HPV exists in more than 100 different forms, ranging from low-risk to high-risk infections. HPV types 16 and 18 are frequently associated with invasive cervical cancer compared to other types, meaning that they are more carcinogenic than other types.

They say most cases of cervical cancer are associated with HPV. Widespread immunisation could significantly reduce the impact of cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers. Early treatment can prevent up to 80 percent of cervical cancer cases, according to them.

The Ministry of Health and Population launched a nationwide HPV drive in February-March last year and inoculated around 1.5 million girls between 11 and 14 with a single dose of HPV vaccine.

Experts say the HPV vaccine is effective when given before a girl becomes sexually active. The vaccine is less effective for women who are sexually active.

The Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (GAVI) has supplied required vaccine doses for last year’s campaign and this year’s routine programme. Officials say that the alliance has committed to supply vaccine doses for routine immunisation programmes also.

The World Health organisation says HPV vaccination is recommended as part of a coordinated strategy to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases caused by the virus. According to the UN health body, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and claims over 350,000 lives each year.