More than five lakh adolescent girls in Gujarat have received the first dose of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as part of a state-wide campaign to prevent cervical cancer. The programme has achieved a cumulative vaccination count of 5,14,566 out of 5,62,324 eligible girls as of May 6.
On Wednesday alone, 7,913 adolescent girls were vaccinated across the state, with an overall campaign coverage of 91.5 percent. State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya highlighted the successful vaccination drive, emphasizing the absence of serious adverse effects and attributing it to the vaccine’s safety and the program’s effectiveness.
The HPV vaccination campaign, targeting 14-year-old girls, is being conducted across various healthcare facilities in Gujarat, including government hospitals and health centers. The vaccinations are provided free of charge to the eligible girls, with district-wise data showing varying coverage levels across different regions of the state.
In districts like Rajkot, Bhavnagar, and Narmada, the vaccination coverage has exceeded 100 percent, indicating a high level of participation and completion. The state health department plans to continue the campaign until the end of May, encouraging families to ensure that all eligible girls receive the vaccine at government health facilities.
