HPV vaccination drive: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer, Rajasthan, marking the formal start of India’s latest push against cervical cancer. The launch event was held in Kayad, where girls were administered the vaccine, and the Prime Minister interacted with beneficiaries.
Under the programme, 14-year-old girls will receive a single free dose of the quadrivalent Gardasil 4 vaccine at government health facilities across the country. The Union Health Ministry told states on February 25 that the vaccine would be available at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, community health centres, sub-district and district hospitals, and government medical colleges and hospitals.
Also Read | How to detect cervical cancer early: Symptoms, causes & care
Officials said the vaccine protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which are linked to cervical cancer, as well as types 6 and 11. The national rollout is being mirrored by state-level drives, with Maharashtra planning to cover about 9.84 lakh girls and Telangana beginning its programme from King Koti hospital in Hyderabad.
The Centre has described the campaign as voluntary and free of cost, and has urged parents and guardians to ensure eligible girls are vaccinated once the programme reaches their local public health facility.
