New Delhi/Ajmer: The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for launching a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign aimed at protecting girls from cervical cancer.
The large-scale initiative seeks to provide comprehensive protection against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a leading cause of cervical cancer among women.
WHO Applauds India’s Public Health Initiative
Taking to social media platform X, Dr. Tedros commended the decision to roll out a countrywide HPV vaccination drive. He described the campaign as a significant step toward eliminating cervical cancer and emphasized the importance of global collaboration to ensure women can live free from this preventable disease.
Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in India.
National HPV Vaccination Campaign Launched from Ajmer
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide HPV vaccination programme for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer, Rajasthan. The campaign has been positioned as a mission-mode initiative to eliminate cervical cancer across India.
The programme aims to vaccinate approximately 1.15 crore girls aged 14 years annually across all states and Union Territories. The vaccine will be provided free of cost at designated government health centres.
Vaccination Centres and Supervision
The HPV vaccine will be administered at:
- Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Primary Health Centres)
- Community Health Centres
- Sub-district and District Hospitals
- Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals
Each vaccination session will be supervised by trained medical officers, supported by skilled healthcare teams to ensure safe and efficient implementation.
Safety Measures and Monitoring System
To maintain vaccine quality, all vaccination sites will be equipped with functional cold chain points (CCPs). In the rare event of any adverse effects following immunisation (AEFI), immediate medical assistance will be provided.
Prior informed consent from parents or guardians will be mandatory before vaccination.
Mission Mode Implementation
The campaign will be conducted in mission mode for three months, during which eligible girls can receive the vaccine daily at designated centres. After the initial phase, the HPV vaccine will continue under the routine immunisation programme.
With WHO’s endorsement and strong institutional support, India’s nationwide HPV vaccination drive marks a major public health milestone in the fight against cervical cancer and women’s health empowerment.
