Telangana Launches Initial HPV Vaccination Drive, State wide drive from March 8
Three-month immunisation campaign to be rolled out across government hospitals and primary health centres in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: The Gardasil-4 human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive was rolled out here on Saturday, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the campaign against cervical cancer for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer in Rajasthan. According to officials, a single-dose ‘Gardasil 4’ vaccine, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine, will be used under the campaign. The injection provides protection against HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for cervical cancer, as well as types 6 and 11.
In Telangana, the statewide roll-out has been scheduled for March 8, International Women’s Day. Officials said there are nearly 3.5 lakh girls in the eligible age group across the state, and Telangana has received 1.45 lakh doses in the first phase. The remaining beneficiaries will be covered in subsequent phases.
As per National Health Mission (NHM) guidelines, beneficiaries may pre-register and schedule appointments on the U-WIN digital platform, or opt for walk-in vaccination at designated government health facilities. Parental or guardian consent is mandatory and will be recorded digitally on U-WIN. In areas without internet connectivity, consent may be obtained in hard copy as per prescribed format.
The programme follows medical guidelines. Vaccination will be deferred in cases of girls with moderate or severe illness until recovery, girls with a history of severe allergic reaction to previous vaccination, Girls known to be allergic to yeast and Girls outside the target age group. For girls who have already received any HPV vaccine (Gardasil, Gardasil-9, Cervarix, or Cervavac), their vaccination status will be updated on the U-WIN portal.
Health minister Damodar Rajanarsimha inaugurated the programme at the District Government Hospital, King Koti, Hyderabad, on Saturday, participating virtually at an event organised by Dr S. Sangeetha Satyanarayana, commissioner of health and the Mission Director, National Health Mission.
Five adolescent girls were administered the vaccination on the first day. Two others were invited for a demonstration of the spot registration process at U-win and two others were not given the vaccination as she was not accompanied by her parents.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, the father of a student who received the vaccine said ASHA workers approached her school and informed parents about the vaccine. “I received a call, gave my consent, and my daughter was vaccinated,” he said. A Class IX student of BR Rao Girls High School, said she was initially afraid but later agreed to take the vaccine after counselling.
Medical officers said vaccinated students were kept under observation for 30 minutes in AEFI (adverse events following immunisation) rooms. Some may experience mild symptoms such as redness, slight swelling, pain at the injection site, or mild fever. The vaccine is administered after breakfast, and students can resume normal meals later in the day.
Dr Satyanarayana said that Gardasil-4HPV vaccine would be available at government health facilities from March 8. Over 60,000 personnel, including medical officers, ANMs, and ASHA workers have been trained on HPV administration.
