KATHMANDU, MARCH 22 The government is set to launch a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign against cervical cancer in four districts this week. Dr Abhiyan Gautam, Head of the Child Health and Immunisation Branch at the Department of Health Services, said the campaign will be conducted in Dolpa, Humla, Jumla, and Manang, where schools were closed due to snowfall in February, preventing the earlier nationwide rollout. The HPV vaccine was administered to sixth-grade students and 10-year-old girls outside school settings across the country from February 8 to 27, except in these four districts. In addition, students from grades 7 to 10 and out-of-school girls aged 11 to 14 were also vaccinated. According to Dr Gautam, a total of 323,000 girls in 73 districts received the HPV vaccine during the campaign. He added that necessary instructions have been issued and health workers in the concerned districts have been trained to ensure proper preparation for the upcoming drive. Dr Gautam further stated that infection with the human papillomavirus is the primary cause of cervical cancer, underscoring the government's decision to launch the vaccination campaign.