Gujarat Vaccinates 71,894 Girls Against HPV in One Day

GANDHINAGAR : Gujarat marked a major milestone in its fight against cervical cancer, with 71,894 adolescent girls receiving the HPV vaccine in a single day on September 17, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday.

The latest drive took the total number of girls vaccinated under Gujarat’s ongoing HPV campaign to more than 6.25 lakh by September 16, Health Minister Prafull Pansheriya said. He described the campaign as a protective shield against cervical cancer and urged parents to ensure their eligible daughters are vaccinated without delay.

“A daughter in every home represents the future not only of a family but of society. Ensuring that our daughters remain healthy and safe is our collective social and moral responsibility,” Pansheriya said.

According to the minister, Gujarat has emerged as a leading state in the initial phase of the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign. He also said no adverse-effect cases have been reported in Gujarat during the large-scale vaccination drive.

The Centre allocated more than 2.72 lakh HPV vaccine doses to Gujarat on September 7, following the state’s vaccination efforts.

The government has now set a target to vaccinate 1.46 lakh adolescent girls who turned 14 on September 17 by October 1, 2026.

Pansheriya appealed to parents to use the ongoing mega drive and get their daughters vaccinated at the earliest.

“If your 14-year-old daughter has not yet been vaccinated, contact the nearest health centre today,” he said.

The HPV vaccine is being provided free of cost to eligible 14-year-old girls at Medical College Hospitals, District and Sub-District Hospitals, Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres across Gujarat.

The minister urged families to participate in the campaign and described HPV vaccination as an important step towards protecting girls from cervical cancer.