HPV Vaccination Drive Launched in Both Telugu States

In a major initiative aimed at strengthening women’s healthcare and eliminating the deadly cervical cancer at an early stage, the governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have launched an ambitious Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive.

In Telangana, State Health Minister C. Damodar Rajanarsimha formally inaugurated the programme at King Koti Hospital in Hyderabad. The state has drawn up a three-month special action plan targeting approximately 3.5 to 4 lakh girls aged 14 to 15 years across Telangana. During the first month, the vaccine will be available at district and area hospitals as well as Community Health Centres, and in the subsequent phase it will be distributed through Primary Health Centres statewide. The government is providing the ‘Gardasil’ vaccine , which costs between ₹3,000 and ₹4,000 in the market, free of charge.

Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha said that around 60,000 new cancer cases are reported annually in the state, with cervical cancer ranking second among them, which he described as a matter of concern. He noted that approximately 3,200 women are affected by the disease every year and said the government has already established day care cancer centres and mobile screening units to address the issue. He expressed confidence that the vaccination programme would significantly reduce cancer-related deaths in the future.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched the vaccination drive at the Community Health Centre in Ravivalasa, Vizianagaram district. The programme is expected to benefit around 3.4 lakh girls in the state. The Chief Minister emphasised that the HPV vaccine is crucial in preventing cervical cancer before its onset and reiterated that women’s welfare remains the government’s top priority. He directed officials to ensure the programme reaches remote villages and that every eligible girl receives the vaccine.

Medical experts have welcomed the simultaneous rollout of the large-scale vaccination campaign in both states. They noted that receiving the HPV vaccine at a young age can reduce the risk of cervical cancer by up to 90 per cent .