India Crosses 80 Lakh HPV Vaccinations, Says Ministry Of Health

The Union Ministry of Health on Friday announced that India has crossed 80 lakh Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations, marking an important milestone against HPV infection and HPV-associated cancers. India has achieved this milestone, surpassing the target of 80 lakh vaccinations, with the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for girls aged 14 years and above being launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Rajasthan's Ajmer in February. The initiative aims to eradicate cervical cancer among women in India, with the programme expected to protect millions of girls across the country from developing life-threatening cancers in the future. Indian-American radiation oncologist Dattatreyudu Nori has praised the introduction of free HPV vaccination for girls, saying it could substantially strengthen prevention efforts. Nori cited the establishment of the National Cancer Institute and the expansion of cancer treatment facilities among the important steps taken in India's healthcare sector over the past 12 years. According to Nori, around 200 women die of cervical cancer every day in India, making the continued loss of lives particularly distressing for doctors working in oncology. The HPV vaccination campaign has been hailed as a crucial step towards a healthier, cancer-free future for India's daughters. The programme is part of a broader effort to strengthen preventive healthcare and advance protection against HPV infection and HPV-associated cancers. The Union Ministry of Health has expressed optimism about the programme's impact, with the Prime Minister's launch serving as a key milestone in the campaign's progress.