HPV drive in Madhya Pradesh gathers pace; over 2 lakh adolescent girls vaccinated
Bhopal, March 25
Over two lakh adolescent girls aged between 9 and 14 years have so far received the Human Papillomavirus vaccine in Madhya Pradesh, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said on Wednesday.
The ongoing HPV vaccination drive is part of a nationwide initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ajmer district of Rajasthan on February 28. The initiative aims to combat cervical cancer among women.
"Madhya Pradesh secured a leading position nationwide by vaccinating over 100,000 girls in the first 15 days after the campaign was launched. With the number now surpassing the 2 lakh mark, the state has further solidified its leadership role," Shukla, who heads the state's Health Department, said.
Several departments of the state government, including School Education, Women and Child Development, and Panchayats, along with various voluntary organisations, have collaborated to transform this initiative into a mass movement across the state.
He said that districts such as Mandla, Balaghat, Dindori, Rajgarh, Khargone and others have made notable efforts during the campaign, recording high vaccination coverage through camps in schools, community health centres and villages.
According to the government, Dindori district ranked first with 74.70 per cent of adolescent girls receiving the vaccine, followed by Rajgarh at 69.61 per cent. Other districts with high coverage include Balaghat (68.95 per cent), Mandla (66.44 per cent), Khargone (55.06 per cent), and Khandwa (53.15 per cent).
Shukla also appealed to parents to ensure that their daughters aged 14 to 15 years receive the HPV vaccine, thereby safeguarding them against serious ailments such as cervical cancer.
He expressed confidence that the state's Health Department would soon complete vaccination of all remaining eligible girls.
The vaccination drive will conclude after 90 days from February 28. After completion of the campaign phase, the HPV vaccine will be available on routine immunisation session days.
According to an earlier notification from the Centre, HPV vaccines are 93-100 per cent effective in preventing cervical cancer caused by vaccine-covered HPV types. Evidence also shows a strong herd effect -- high vaccination coverage reduces circulation of HPV strains, thereby providing indirect protection even to unvaccinated individuals.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Excellent news. As a father of two girls, I fully support this initiative. The herd effect mentioned is crucial - it protects the entire community. We need to spread awareness in rural areas to combat any misinformation about the vaccine.
While the drive is commendable, I hope the focus on numbers doesn't compromise on proper counselling and follow-up. Parents need clear information about the two-dose schedule and potential side effects. The real success will be measured in high completion rates, not just first doses.
It's heartening to see districts like Dindori and Rajgarh leading with over 70% coverage. This shows effective grassroots mobilization. The collaboration with School Education and Panchayats is the key to reaching every village. A great public health achievement.
Finally! We are addressing a major health threat for women. Cervical cancer is a silent killer. Making the vaccine part of routine immunization after the drive is the right move. This will save countless lives and reduce the burden on our healthcare system in the long run. 🙏
Good progress, but 2 lakh in a state as large as MP means there's a long way to go. The 90-day window is tight. Hope they intensify efforts in districts with lower coverage. The appeal to parents of 14-15 year olds is important - they shouldn't be missed.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.