Protecting our girls: The HPV vaccination roll-out in Nepal
The HPV vaccination campaign – which aims to vaccinate over 1.6 million adolescent girls nationwide – is seeking to protect Nepal’s daughters from the risk of cervical cancer, one shot at a time
Lumbini, Nepal: In a school in Dang District in Lumbini Province, the air buzzes with excitement as adolescent girls gather, some in uniform, others in casual clothes, waiting for their turn to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
This scene mirrors others across schools and community sites in Nepal, where a nationwide vaccination campaign to protect young girls from cervical cancer is taking place from 4 to 18 February.
At one school, tenth grader Prasamsa, says she is eager to get the vaccine "to protect myself from cervical cancer.”
Deepika, also in grade 10 at another school, echoes: “We’re getting the HPV vaccine... It’s for all adolescent girls and related to our cervical health.”
The Government of Nepal, with support from Gavi, UNICEF, WHO and other partners, aims to vaccinate over 1.6 million girls nationwide as part of the ongoing campaign. In Lumbini alone, more than 266,000 girls are targeted for vaccination.
The campaign focuses on girls aged 10 to 14, particularly those in grades 6 to 10 —an important group for preventing cervical cancer in the future.
Dr. Basudev Upadhyaya, Health Secretary of Lumbini Province, speaks about the importance of the initiative: “By vaccinating this target group, we are laying the foundation for their future health.”
Throughout Nepal, health workers like Laxmi Shrestha are ready to administer the vaccine and answer questions from girls and their families.
“The vaccine is most effective when given to girls in their adolescence,” she says. “That’s why this campaign is so important.”
While the vaccination campaign is largely based in schools, efforts have been made to reach girls who are out of school. Local communities have been essential in this outreach.
Maulana Mashood Nepali, a religious leader, has been actively engaging both school-going and out-of-school girls to ensure they are vaccinated.
“We have 347 girls in our community who are out of school. To reach them, we met with their guardians and explained the importance of this vaccine,” he shares.
“We reminded them that protecting their daughters’ health is their responsibility.”
Yangzi Sherpa, Health Officer at UNICEF, emphasizes the role of community leaders like the maulana in the campaign’s success. “We’re working with community leaders, parents, caregivers, and teachers to ensure every girl has the opportunity to receive this vaccine.”
UNICEF Nepal/2025/RUpadhayay
“No girl should miss out on this life-saving protection.”
As the campaign continues, girls like Deepika and Prasamsa express relief and optimism for the future.
“I feel confident now that I am protected from the possibility of cervical cancer in the future,” says Sangita, a tenth grader.
Prasamsa adds, “With the HPV vaccine, I feel assured that I’m not at risk of cervical cancer.”
