DHAKA, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh has started administering human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines here for school children aged 10-15.

The immunization campaign was formally launched on Monday at the National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM) in Dhaka in the presence of Health Minister Zahid Maleque.

The campaign against cervical cancer is expected to expand to other districts outside Dhaka gradually.

Officials said Bangladesh launched the nationwide HPV vaccination program to prevent cancer, targeting over 10 million children. The government aims to vaccinate 95 percent of all girls in the South Asian country.

From Monday, female students at all educational institutions across the country are planned to receive the HPV vaccine on a limited scale, said Maleque. From Oct. 15, the vaccine will be available to all eligible individuals, he said.

According to the health minister, cervical cancer claims 5,000 to 6,000 lives annually in Bangladesh and 300,000 worldwide.