News & Announcement
District Task Force for Immunisation Meeting Held at Soreng
Soreng, March 6 (IPR): A meeting of the District Task Force for Immunization (DTFI) was held today at the District Administrative Centre (DAC), Soreng, chaired by the District Collector, Mr Dhiraj Subedi, to review preparedness and coordination for the ongoing Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign 2026 and National Deworming Day (NDD) 2026.
During the meeting, a detailed presentation was delivered by DRCHO Dr Patrika Rai, outlining the implementation strategy and key aspects of the HPV vaccination campaign and National Deworming Day activities in the district.
Highlighting the HPV Vaccination Campaign 2026, she informed that the campaign will target girls aged 14 years who have completed their 14th birthday but have not yet celebrated their 15th birthday. The vaccination will be conducted using the Gardasil quadrivalent vaccine administered in a single dose through designated health facilities. She also noted that Sikkim was the first state in India to introduce statewide HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14 years, implemented in phases by the State Government in 2018 and 2019.
The presentation further covered the vaccination strategy, including eligibility criteria, precautionary measures, vaccination procedures and key messages for caregivers, emphasising the importance of awareness and proper counselling during the campaign.
The meeting also reviewed preparations for National Deworming Day 2026, scheduled to be observed on March 9 with a mop-up day on March 16. The programme aims to administer Albendazole tablets to children and adolescents aged 1 to 19 years, including school-going, out-of-school and college students, to address intestinal worm infections and improve overall child health.
Officials also discussed the roles and responsibilities of line departments, emphasising the need for effective inter-departmental coordination to ensure maximum coverage of target beneficiaries, including mobilising out-of-school children.
Also present in the meeting were the ADC Mr DR Bista, ADC (Development) Mr Gayas Pega, CDPO Mrs Gauri Tamang, IDSP Officer Dr. Eden Bhutia, Sr. Welfare Officer, Mrs Prativa Tamang, District Information Officer (IPR) Dr. Aaron E Lepcha, Block Development Officers of Daramdin, Rinchenpong, Mangalbarey, Chumbung and Baiguney, Medical Officers in-charge of PHCs, including Sombaria, Rinchenpong, Chumbung and Mangalbaria, along with officials from the Health & Family Welfare Department.
The meeting concluded with discussions on the issues and challenges in ensuring effective implementation of the campaigns, with the Chair stressing the importance of coordinated efforts and cooperation, affirming to ensure administrative support.
During the meeting, a detailed presentation was delivered by DRCHO Dr Patrika Rai, outlining the implementation strategy and key aspects of the HPV vaccination campaign and National Deworming Day activities in the district.
Highlighting the HPV Vaccination Campaign 2026, she informed that the campaign will target girls aged 14 years who have completed their 14th birthday but have not yet celebrated their 15th birthday. The vaccination will be conducted using the Gardasil quadrivalent vaccine administered in a single dose through designated health facilities. She also noted that Sikkim was the first state in India to introduce statewide HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14 years, implemented in phases by the State Government in 2018 and 2019.
The presentation further covered the vaccination strategy, including eligibility criteria, precautionary measures, vaccination procedures and key messages for caregivers, emphasising the importance of awareness and proper counselling during the campaign.
The meeting also reviewed preparations for National Deworming Day 2026, scheduled to be observed on March 9 with a mop-up day on March 16. The programme aims to administer Albendazole tablets to children and adolescents aged 1 to 19 years, including school-going, out-of-school and college students, to address intestinal worm infections and improve overall child health.
Officials also discussed the roles and responsibilities of line departments, emphasising the need for effective inter-departmental coordination to ensure maximum coverage of target beneficiaries, including mobilising out-of-school children.
Also present in the meeting were the ADC Mr DR Bista, ADC (Development) Mr Gayas Pega, CDPO Mrs Gauri Tamang, IDSP Officer Dr. Eden Bhutia, Sr. Welfare Officer, Mrs Prativa Tamang, District Information Officer (IPR) Dr. Aaron E Lepcha, Block Development Officers of Daramdin, Rinchenpong, Mangalbarey, Chumbung and Baiguney, Medical Officers in-charge of PHCs, including Sombaria, Rinchenpong, Chumbung and Mangalbaria, along with officials from the Health & Family Welfare Department.
The meeting concluded with discussions on the issues and challenges in ensuring effective implementation of the campaigns, with the Chair stressing the importance of coordinated efforts and cooperation, affirming to ensure administrative support.
