Home / Health / Gujarat Targets 5.5 Lakh Girls in HPV Immunization Campaign
Gujarat Targets 5.5 Lakh Girls in HPV Immunization Campaign
4 Mar
Summary
- Gujarat aims to vaccinate 5.5 lakh adolescent girls against cervical cancer.
- The HPV vaccine protects against the primary types causing cervical cancer in India.
- The campaign offers the vaccine free, costing the state exchequer an estimated Rs 150 crore.
In a significant public health initiative, Gujarat has commenced a statewide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation campaign, aiming to vaccinate 5.50 lakh adolescent girls. The campaign was inaugurated at Sola Civil Hospital, aligning with the nationwide rollout initiated recently. This drive focuses on protecting 14-year-old girls from cervical cancer, a disease identified as the second most prevalent cancer among women in India.
Experts emphasize the safety and efficacy of the HPV vaccine in preventing infections from high-risk HPV types responsible for most cervical cancer cases. The vaccine is being provided free to eligible girls, representing an estimated cost of Rs 150 crore to the state. This program is a part of India's broader commitment to meet the World Health Organization's target of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.
