India's Free HPV Vaccination Drive Passes 80 Lakh Doses

India has administered over 80 lakh doses of the HPV vaccine as part of a nationwide push to prevent cervical cancer, according to BW Healthcare World. The milestone covers the first six months of the campaign, which offers the shots free of charge.

Telegraph India reports that the free vaccination program has reached roughly two-thirds of 14-year-old girls. Several states have achieved full coverage, including Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram, according to ThePrint.

The human papillomavirus vaccine is used to protect against the infections linked to cervical cancer. India's campaign is aimed at adolescent girls, with the government providing the doses at no cost to families.

The 80 lakh figure reflects doses given, not necessarily the number of girls fully vaccinated, since the HPV schedule can involve more than one shot. The reporting does not break down how many recipients have completed the full series.

hpv vaccine

The coverage numbers reported by Telegraph India and ThePrint indicate wide variation between states, with some reaching 100 percent and others still working toward that level. The campaign's overall reach across India's population of 14-year-old girls remains the central measure of its progress.

What to watch next: whether the remaining states close the coverage gap and how many girls return for their follow-up doses.