PM Modi launches nationwide HPV vaccination drive for 14-year-old girls from Rajasthan’s Ajmer
PTC Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday rolled out a countrywide vaccination campaign aimed at protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer. The initiative was launched from Ajmer in Rajasthan, where the formal ceremony was held in Kayad.
During the event, several 14-year-old girls received the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the Prime Minister’s presence. He also interacted with beneficiaries and highlighted the importance of preventive healthcare in reducing the burden of life-threatening diseases among women.
Under the programme, the government will administer a single dose of “Gardasil 4,” a quadrivalent HPV vaccine designed to guard against four strains of the virus. The vaccine offers protection against HPV types 16 and 18, which are known to cause the majority of cervical cancer cases, along with types 6 and 11 that are linked to other HPV-related conditions.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has directed all states and Union Territories to implement the drive in a mission mode. In its recent communication, the ministry stated that every 14-year-old girl across the country will be eligible for free vaccination at designated government healthcare facilities.
The vaccine will be made available at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Primary Health Centres), Community Health Centres, sub-district hospitals, district hospitals, and government medical colleges and hospitals. Officials said the campaign marks a significant step toward strengthening India’s preventive healthcare framework and reducing cervical cancer incidence in the long term.
Health experts have welcomed the move, noting that early immunisation plays a critical role in curbing HPV infections and safeguarding women’s health in adulthood.
- With inputs from agencies
