Centre to launch nationwide HPV vaccination campaign soon: Sources

Under the campaign, girls aged 14 and above will be provided free dose of the vaccine

• HPV vaccine, HPV vaccination campaign

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India is set to roll out a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign to fulfill Central government's promise of "Swastha Nari", sources aware of the development said.

The government will administer Gardasil injection free of cost, sources said.

"Vaccination under the national programme will be voluntary and free of cost, ensuring equitable access across socio-economic groups," the source added.

With the national campaign, the government is planning to target cervical cancer, which is one of the most common type of cancer among women in India. Under the campaign, girls aged 14 and above will be provided free dose of the vaccine.

The quadrivalent HPV vaccine protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer, as well as types 6 and 11, sources aware of the matter said.

"Strong global and Indian scientific evidence confirms that a single dose provides robust and durable protection when administered to girls in the recommended age group," an official source said.