Pics: Nayana JC
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Mar 24: A press meet regarding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign was held at the District Health and Family Welfare Office on Tuesday, March 24, under the leadership of district health and family welfare officer Dr H R Thimmaiah.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Thimmaiah stated that cervical cancer is a major public health concern globally. He noted that the disease is caused by the Human Papillomavirus and emphasized that cervical cancer is the only form of cancer that can be prevented through timely vaccination.
He said that with the objective of preventing the disease, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign on February 28, 2026, for girls aged 14 (those who have completed 14 years but not yet reached 15). The campaign was launched in Karnataka on the same day and is being implemented as a three-month initiative.
As per the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, around 2.54 lac doses of the HPV vaccine have been supplied free of cost to Karnataka and distributed to all districts. The vaccination drive will be conducted free of charge at all government health centres from March 2026 to May 2026.
Under this campaign, all eligible 14-year-old girls across the country will be provided a single dose of the Gardasil-4 HPV vaccine at government health facilities, including primary health centres, community health centres, district and taluk hospitals, and government medical colleges. These facilities function as cold chain points and have designated medical officers for the management of any adverse events following immunization (AEFI). The vaccination is voluntary, and it is mandatory to obtain consent from parents or guardians before administration.
Officials have been instructed to ensure the vaccine is available every day during the three-month window to cover all eligible beneficiaries. Necessary training has already been provided to staff at the state level for the effective implementation of the drive.
The district health officer also mentioned that cooperation from various departments is essential for the success of the programme. District-level meetings have already been conducted to issue instructions to various departments to extend their support.
Dr Thimmaiah appealed to the public not to believe in rumours or negative information regarding the vaccine, reassuring that it is both safe and effective. He urged parents to utilize this government initiative to protect their children. He further stated that one of the best gifts a man can give to the women in his family is protection from cervical cancer, and requested the community to support the campaign to make it a success.