HPV Vaccination Drive Rolls Out Across Karnataka, Telangana, Kerala

India is intensifying its fight against cervical cancer with a multi-state HPV vaccination push. The national programme, formally launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an event in Ajmer, is guiding state campaigns to immunize adolescent girls against the Human Papillomavirus. In Karnataka, the rollout is particularly ambitious: a three-month campaign aimed at vaccinating about 1.15 crore girls aged above 14 across government health facilities, including primary health centres, community health centres, district hospitals, and medical colleges in Bengaluru.

Officials say the drive will be implemented in phases to ensure every identified beneficiary gets the vaccine within the stipulated period. Awareness campaigns are being stepped up at field level to encourage eligible girls and their families to participate. The vaccine helps prevent HPV infections that can lead to cervical cancer, one of the leading cancer-related illnesses among women.

Telangana launched its HPV vaccination programme at King Koti hospital in Hyderabad around 11:30 am, with the participation of senior health officials, doctors, ASHA workers, and parents. In Kerala, authorities said the vaccine will be rolled out in a mission mode over three months, with eligible girls able to receive the shot daily at designated facilities.

Meanwhile in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu noted a rising concern over cancer cases and announced that the HPV vaccine would be administered to about 3.45 lakh girls aged 14-15 over the next three months. The nationwide effort is part of a broader health protection strategy to boost long-term health outcomes for girls and women.

The campaign's success will hinge on logistics, school and community engagement, and sustained funding, as officials stress. In Karnataka, the rollout began with a webcast view of the event at K.C. General Hospital in Bengaluru, mirroring how the initiative is being shared across states to maximize reach and awareness.

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