The Assam government has launched a pilot project to vaccinate girls against human papiloma virus-HPV causing cervical cancer. The State Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Himanata Biswa Sarma said that 300 girls in the age group of 13 to 26 years would be vaccinated at the first phase under the project. The World Health Organization -WHO recommended vaccine, will be administered to the target group.Cervical cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer affecting women in recent times.Medical experts say that vaccination is the best way to prevent cervical cancer. Reports said that out of all cancer patients, about 35 percent are victims of this cancer.According to WHO, the HPV vaccine has been found to have 100 percent effectiveness to prevent the disease.Encouraged by the fact, the Obstetrics and gynecology department of Guwahati Medical College and Hospital would administer HPV vaccine to about 300 women. After monitoring the results, the vaccination programme is likely to be extended to the other parts of the state later on.Along with vaccination, the health department also initiated an awareness programme to control the cervical cancer.