The HPV vaccination campaign was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ajmer, Rajasthan, with a simultaneous virtual launch from Sola Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Minister of State for Health, Praful Pansheriya, were present at the event.

During the occasion, Pansheriya emphasized Gujarat’s success in eradicating polio since 2007, attributing this achievement to improved vaccination processes and India’s growing capability to produce vaccines domestically, aligning with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

Commitment to Public Health

Pansheriya noted the government’s commitment to ensuring no individual, especially the underprivileged, suffers due to a lack of medical access or financial constraints. To bolster this initiative, treatment coverage under the Ayushman Card has been raised from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. The Minister urged the public to disregard superstition and misinformation surrounding vaccinations, highlighting that the HPV vaccine is developed under strict medical supervision.

Focus on Adolescent Girls

The campaign aims to protect approximately 5.50 lakh adolescent girls between the ages of 14 and 15 from cervical cancer, a condition that is significantly prevalent among women in India, primarily caused by HPV types 16 and 18. The quadrivalent HPV vaccine will be provided to these girls, greatly improving their health outcomes. Although a single dose of the vaccine costs around ₹3,000 in the market, the Gujarat State Government has allocated ₹150 crore to ensure it is offered free of charge as part of this initiative.

Implementation Strategy

To facilitate the successful execution of the vaccination campaign, Gujarat has mobilized 2,297 trained vaccination teams, complemented by an equal number of cold chain points to maintain the vaccine’s efficacy. The state has established storage facilities that ensure temperatures between +2°C and +8°C, with real-time monitoring enabled through the TeCHO+ and SAFE-VAC portals. This comprehensive approach aims to guarantee the quality and safety of the vaccine during distribution.

Public Awareness and Participation

The government has launched a campaign under the slogan, “Let’s continue to protect our daughters from cervical cancer—by ensuring timely HPV vaccination.” Parents are encouraged to ensure their 14-year-old daughters receive the vaccine, contributing to a cancer-free future for the next generation. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Ahmedabad Mayor Pratibha Jain, Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department Rajeev Topno, and Health Commissioner Ratankanvar Gadhavicharan, along with numerous health officials and adolescent girls.

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