Bihar Leads the Way in Preventing Cervical Cancer

Bihar has taken a pioneering step by becoming the first state in India to offer free HPV vaccination to girls aged 9–14 years under the Mukhyamantri Balika Cancer Pratirakshan Yojana. HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a common virus, with certain high- risk types of virus leading to cervical cancer, which is a major cause of cancer-related deaths among women in India, including Bihar. Schools play a vital role in this initiative by identifying eligible girl students, supporting awareness activities, coordinating vaccination days, and sharing information with parents. Through this coordinated approach, the Bihar government is making a strong commitment to prevent cervical cancer and safeguard the future health of adolescent girls across the state.

📝 School Preparedness Activities for HPV Vaccination

• Prepare a Student Line List of all eligible girl students aged 9–14 years in the prescribed format of health department (Click here to download student line list format).
• Ensure Students Bring a Valid ID such as Aadhaar card or School ID on the day of vaccination for verification and record-keeping.
• Collect and Verify Active Mobile Numbers of parents/guardians for each student, so that HPV vaccination certificate links can be sent via SMS.
• Ensure that prior informed consent is taken from parents or guardians of all eligible girl students and clearly inform them that their child should NOT be on an empty stomach—students must eat breakfast or lunch before vaccination.
• Designate a Waiting Area and an Observation Area for vaccinated girls to be monitored for at least 30 minutes post-vaccination.
• Organize a Sensitization Session with support from the health department for teachers and parents prior to the vaccination day.
• Assign a Nodal Teacher or Vaccination Coordinator to manage the vaccination day logistics and act as a liaison with the health team.
• Ensure Clean Drinking Water and Basic Medical First Aid are available at the vaccination site.
• Inform Students to Wear Comfortable Uniforms that allow easy access to the upper arm for vaccination.
• Schedule Vaccination in Batches (e.g., class-wise or age-wise) to avoid overcrowding and ensure smooth flow.
• Maintain Privacy and Comfort for adolescent girls during vaccination to reduce anxiety and promote participation.