Saturday marked a turning point as Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched the national HPV vaccination program from Ajmer, focusing on preventing cervical cancer through targeted immunization of young girls against human papillomavirus.
In Rajasthan, the response was swift: 188 sessions unfolded across the state, backed by 1,000 designated health facilities. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma passionately urged mothers and fathers to bring their daughters forward, celebrating the campaign as a beacon of health empowerment for women.
Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar outlined the vaccine regimen—a single 0.5 ml dose of quadrivalent Gardasil-4 for 14-year-olds not yet 15, injected into the upper left arm intramuscularly. He warned of cervical cancer’s status as the second major threat to Indian women, justifying the state’s robust rollout plan.
More than 832,000 eligible girls await protection, per Chief Secretary (Health) Gaytri Rathore. Dr. Amit Yadav of the National Health Mission detailed site criteria: reliable cold storage, on-site doctors, and online capabilities. Every location features skilled vaccinators, monitors, educators, and volunteers, all pre-trained extensively.
Dubbed a historic initiative, this drive bolsters Rajasthan’s public health architecture, ensuring adolescent girls lead healthier, safer lives.