India to launch HPV vax drive for 14-year-old girls this month
The Times of India • • health
Key Points:
- The Indian government is launching a nationwide HPV vaccination drive targeting 14-year-old girls, aiming to vaccinate approximately 1.2 crore adolescents annually free of cost at government health facilities.
- The campaign will use the Gardasil vaccine, which protects against HPV types responsible for over 80% of cervical cancer cases, a disease causing nearly 80,000 new cases and 42,000 deaths annually in India.
- The vaccination drive will be voluntary, conducted on designated immunisation days, and tracked via the U-WIN digital platform to ensure rapid coverage, differing from routine immunisation programs.
- The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Modi's emphasis on cervical cancer prevention through vaccination, early screening, and affordable treatment, supporting the WHO
