New Delhi, February 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls aged 14 on February 28 from Ajmer, Rajasthan, marking the formal start of India's effort to eliminate preventable cancers among women.
The campaign will involve administering Gardasil 4, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine that provides protection against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer, as well as types 6 and 11.
In an official letter sent to all states on February 25, the Union health ministry announced that the HPV vaccination campaign for all girls aged 14 will tentatively begin at 11:30 am on February 28.
"The Prime Minister has kindly consented to launch the campaign from Ajmer, Rajasthan," the letter by Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director (NHM) in the Health Ministry, stated.
During the launch, all states and Union territories will connect virtually through a link in coordination with their local NIC, with the presence of chief ministers, administrators, and state health ministers along with health officials from their respective state and Union territories headquarters.
The letter stated that cervical cancer is a significant public health concern in the country and globally. It is caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and is the only cancer that can be prevented by a vaccine.
"We are committed to encouraging vaccination for girls to prevent cervical cancer," it said.
"All girls aged 14 across the country will be vaccinated with a single dose of Gardasil 4 vaccine at Government Health facilities (Ayushman Arogya Mandir-Primary Health Centers, Community Health Centers, sub-district/ district hospitals and government medical colleges and hospitals)," the letter said.
These facilities will have a cold chain point (CCP) and a dedicated medical officer for AEFI (adverse event following immunization) management.
The HPV vaccination is voluntary, and obtaining consent from the parent or guardian is mandatory before vaccinating girls, the letter emphasized.
The vaccination can be administered over a three-month period, during which the HPV vaccine will be available every day to ensure that the maximum number of eligible girls are vaccinated, it said.
After this, the vaccine will be available at the same health facility on routine immunization days.
The officials concerned of all the states and Union territories have already been trained by the Union health ministry on HPV vaccination, the letter stated.
The required number of vaccine doses that correspond to the target cohort of the respective states have already been supplied.
After the official launch at Ajmer, the states and Union territories will have their respective HPV vaccination launch on the same day.
"To prepare for the state and UT level launch, you are requested to develop a special vaccination session site at the government health facility of the state and UT headquarters or any designated site with a cold chain and a dedicated medical officer, supply the required number of HPV vaccine doses so that sufficient stock of the vaccine is available for the vaccination of girls aged 14 years during the launch event, and do other logistical arrangements," the letter stated.
