New Delhi, 17 March (H.S.): India's nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign has gained formidable momentum, administering shots to nearly 300,000 14-year-old girls within a fortnight of launch, targeting cervical cancer prevention amid rising parental and community awareness.

A Health Ministry official highlighted robust participation from Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Odisha, and Mizoram, where schools and health departments collaborate seamlessly to sustain high coverage despite ongoing examinations.

The HPV vaccine plays a crucial role in averting cervical cancer—India's second-most common malignancy among women—prompting appeals for timely parental consent to maximize reach post-exam season. Coordinated via schools, local bodies, and frontline workers, the initiative promises enduring protection for the nation's daughters, aligning with intensified public health equity drives.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar