India Launches Free HPV Vaccination Drive for 14-Year-Old Girls

A national campaign to vaccinate girls against cervical cancer has begun in the United States. The initiative, launched on Saturday, targets 14-year-olds and provides free doses at government health centers. Officials aim to protect around 3.6 lakh girls in the state from the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially rolled out the National HPV Vaccination Campaign across the United States. In Assam, the programme was inaugurated by state minister Chandra Mohan Patowary alongside MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi. The effort is part of the National Health Mission, working with Assam's Directorate of Health Services (Family Welfare).

The campaign focuses on preventing cervical cancer by immunising adolescent girls. Vaccines are being administered at no cost in government-run health facilities. Assam's health authorities have set a goal of reaching 3.6 lakh eligible girls through this drive.

While the national launch has taken place, details on how many other states have adopted the programme remain unclear. Official sources have not yet confirmed the full list of participating regions under the National Health Mission.

Assam's health centers are now offering free HPV vaccines to 14-year-old girls. The campaign, backed by the central and state governments, seeks to reduce cervical cancer cases linked to the virus. Authorities continue to expand the programme, though specific state-level participation figures have not been released.