The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign targeted at 14-year-old girls was launched in Churachandpur district today, marking a significant step in a nationwide initiative initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 28 in Ajmer, Rajasthan. This program, implemented under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, aims to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer, which is the second most prevalent cancer among women in India, with nearly 99.7% of cases attributed to HPV. Health officials emphasized that the vaccine, proven safe and effective over 15 years in 155 countries, will be offered at no cost as part of the government’s health program.
The campaign is designed to last for three months and will initially focus on a single-age cohort before being incorporated into the Routine Immunization Programme. In Churachandpur, vaccinations will occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at designated health centers, including the District Immunization Centre, Behiang PHC, Singngat CHC, Sinzawl PHC, Thanlon PHC, Sagang PHC, and Saikot PHC. The HPV vaccine, which usually costs around ₹4,000 per dose in the private sector, is anticipated to greatly alleviate the cervical cancer burden by providing equitable access to the vaccine for adolescent girls.