Udupi, March 07, 2026: Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa T K has announced that the National HPV Vaccination Campaign, aimed at preventing cervical cancer in women, will be implemented across the district starting March 13. Presiding over the District Task Force committee meeting at the DC office in Manipal, she stated that the vaccine would be provided free of cost at all government healthcare centers.

The campaign targets girls who have completed 14 years but are under 15 years of age. A goal has been set to vaccinate 11,274 children in the district with a single 0.5 ml dose. The DC emphasized that the vaccination is voluntary and requires mandatory consent from parents or guardians. The drive will continue for three months at all Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers, Taluk Hospitals, and Mother and Child Hospitals.

Member of Parliament Kota Srinivas Poojary, who also attended the meeting, noted that the campaign would be officially inaugurated on the morning of March 13 at Udupi Board High School. Highlighting that the vaccine is 93% effective in preventing cervical cancer, he urged officials to spread widespread awareness. He mentioned that while the national-level launch took place on February 28, the district phase is now commencing. The current phase focuses on the 14-15 age group, with plans to expand the age criteria in future phases. The meeting saw the presence of ZP Deputy Secretary S S Kadrolli, DHO Basavaraj G Hubballi, and other senior health officials.

What is HPV Vaccine?

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a life-saving immunization designed to protect against infections caused by various strains of the HPV virus, which are responsible for nearly 90% of cervical cancers, as well as other cancers like anal, throat, and vaginal cancers. HPV is a very common virus transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Historically, the first HPV vaccine, Gardasil, was approved by the FDA in 2006 after years of research into viral-like particles (VLPs). Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and clinical trials show that the vaccine is over 93% effective in preventing the targeted HPV types if administered before exposure to the virus. Global studies indicate that countries with high vaccination rates have seen a 90% reduction in HPV infections and related genital warts, making it one of the most successful preventive measures in modern oncology.

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