Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign in Ajmer to protect women from cervical cancer. Eligible adolescent girls will receive the HPV vaccine to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. The drive’s first day saw 188 vaccination sessions held across Rajasthan.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma encouraged parents to ensure their daughters participate in the vaccination campaign. Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar mentioned that the vaccine will be given as a single dose to girls aged 14 but not yet 15. Cervical cancer ranks as the second most common cancer among Indian women.
More than 8.32 lakh girls are eligible for the campaign, with the quadrivalent vaccine Gardasil-4 to be administered intramuscularly. A total of 1,000 health institutions have been identified for HPV vaccination across all districts. Dr. Amit Yadav, Mission Director of the National Health Mission, emphasized the importance of functional cold chain points and designated medical officers for the drive.
Training for healthcare workers has been completed at various levels to ensure the campaign’s smooth implementation. The state health department views this initiative as a significant step in safeguarding adolescent girls and enhancing preventive healthcare infrastructure in Rajasthan.
