Global health leaders are celebrating India’s newest public health milestone: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rollout of a comprehensive HPV vaccination campaign, which has drawn effusive praise from WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
On X, Dr. Tedros expressed admiration for PM Modi and India’s Health Ministry, noting the campaign’s role in protecting girls from cervical cancer through widespread HPV immunization. He reiterated WHO’s pledge to work alongside countries to eradicate this disease.
From Rajasthan’s Ajmer, PM Modi virtually inaugurated the program on Saturday, framing it as a nationwide crusade against cervical cancer—one of India’s leading causes of cancer mortality in women.
Annually targeting 1.15 crore 14-year-old girls in all regions, vaccines are provided gratis at government facilities like PHCs, CHCs, and hospitals.
Rigorous oversight includes trained medical officers and support staff, with cold chain systems and AEFI management ensuring top safety standards. Vaccinations require guardian consent.
The three-month mission-mode phase offers daily shots, transitioning to routine schedules afterward for ongoing coverage.
By tackling HPV head-on, India is not just saving lives but pioneering a model for scalable prevention, inspiring worldwide efforts to eliminate cervical cancer and empower women with healthier lives.