NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer on Saturday, the Union Health Ministry announced.
The launch will be attended virtually by representatives from all states and Union territories, the ministry said in a statement on Thursday. “We remain committed to promoting vaccination among girls to prevent cervical cancer. The launch of the HPV vaccination campaign for all girls aged 14 years is tentatively scheduled for 11:30 am on February 28. The Prime Minister has graciously agreed to launch the campaign from Ajmer, Rajasthan,” the statement added.
All states and UTs will participate via their local National Informatics Centre (NIC) units, with chief ministers, administrators, state health ministers, and senior health officials expected to attend from their respective headquarters. The access link for the virtual event will be shared separately.
The ministry clarified that girls who turn 15 within three months of the campaign’s launch will also be eligible for vaccination during this special three-month drive. The campaign will administer a single dose of Gardasil-4 at government health centres nationwide.
Vaccination will be fully voluntary and require parental or guardian consent. During the three-month intensive phase, the HPV vaccine will be available daily to ensure maximum coverage. After this period, it will continue to be offered at the same health facilities on designated routine immunisation days.
