Aizawl, July 2: Mizoram Health Minister Lalrinpuii on July 1 said the state has become the third-best performer in the country in implementing the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme and expressed optimism that it can achieve the top position through continued dedication and coordinated efforts.
Speaking at the launch of the National Immunisation Day (NID) Pulse Polio campaign in Aizawl, the minister said Mizoram’s population of nearly 16 lakh provides an opportunity to deliver efficient healthcare services while also placing a responsibility on the government to meet the expectations of its citizens.
Lalrinpuii noted that the HPV vaccination programme, launched nationwide by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 28, has recorded encouraging progress in Mizoram. She called upon health officials and frontline healthcare workers to further strengthen the campaign so that the state can emerge as the country’s leading performer.
The minister also highlighted the achievements of Lunglei district, which surpassed its target under the nationwide HPV vaccination initiative. During the intensive 90-day campaign conducted between February 28 and May 31, the district vaccinated 1,326 adolescent girls against a target of 1,243, achieving 107 per cent coverage.
Emphasising the importance of sustained immunisation efforts, Lalrinpuii said India has remained officially polio-free since 2014 and stressed that Mizoram must continue to strengthen routine vaccination programmes to preserve its polio-free status.
She also welcomed the encouraging response to the Pulse Polio campaign across the state, stating that awareness initiatives have motivated a large number of parents to ensure that their children receive the life-saving vaccine.
