Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is set to launch a free statewide immunisation programme on February 28, aimed at protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer through the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
This initiative aligns with the nationwide HPV vaccination drive, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate from Ajmer, Rajasthan, on the same day, with virtual participation from all states and Union territories.
Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling announced the programme on Wednesday during a blood donation camp in Bhubaneswar. He confirmed that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will lead the state-level launch. Girls up to 14 years of age will receive a single dose of the HPV vaccine free of cost at all designated government health centres under the programme. “We are currently discussing the modalities of the HPV vaccination drive for girls above 14 years of age, who have to be administered three doses of the vaccine, and examining the standard operating procedure (SOP) released by the Ministry of Health for the purpose,” he added.
The effort is part of India’s broader push to combat cervical cancer, a preventable disease that ranks as the second-most common cancer among women in the country.
Director of Family Welfare Shakti Mishra said that the vaccine will be initially administered to girls up to 14 years of age, covering around 2.5 lakh beneficiaries across the state. “The vaccine has no side effects and will be distributed in phases, starting with a three-month primary rollout before expanding to cover women up to 40 years of age,” he said.
Who Is Eligible And Where To Go?
The process of vaccination will be integrated with the U-WIN digital platform, similar to the CoWIN system used during the massive COVID-19 vaccination drive starting from early 2021.
Like during the COVID vaccination programme, slot booking and certification will be digitised.
Those who have just turned 14 will be eligible for the vaccine until they turn 15.
In addition, girls who turn 15 at the time of vaccination launch will be allowed a three-month window to receive the shot.
Around 1.15 crore girls across the country will be provided the vaccine every year. However, the vaccine will be administered only with parental consent.
According to the official, the vaccine will be administered at all government health facilities, including Ayushman Mandirs, government medical colleges, district hospitals, primary and community health centres.
