Earlier State Plan Faced Procurement Delays
The Karnataka government had announced a dedicated HPV vaccination drive last year, focusing on girls aged 9 to 14 in mining-affected districts. The initiative followed a Government Order issued in August after the proposal was included in the 2025–26 State Budget.
The first phase was planned across eight taluks in four districts Tumakuru, Ballari, Chitradurga and Vijayanagara. The Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC) sanctioned ₹4.74 crore for the project, with each vaccine dose estimated at ₹1,260.
Officials had identified 37,470 eligible beneficiaries, including Below Poverty Line (BPL) students from government and aided schools, as well as out-of-school girls. However, changes in the administrative hierarchy at the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd. slowed vaccine procurement, delaying implementation.
National Rollout Brings Fresh Momentum
The Union government formally launched a nationwide HPV vaccination programme on February 28. The initiative was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ajmer, Rajasthan, marking a major step toward strengthening preventive healthcare for adolescent girls.
Under the national framework, Karnataka has now aligned its efforts with the Centre’s campaign. The State-level rollout began last Saturday at K.C. General Hospital in Bengaluru, signalling the start of a three-month intensive drive.
Six Lakh Girls Identified in Karnataka
Under the revised national strategy, a single-dose HPV vaccine will be administered to girls aged 14 to 15. Karnataka has received 2.54 lakh single-dose vials from the Centre, and distribution to districts is currently underway.
State health authorities estimate that nearly six lakh girls in Karnataka fall within the eligible age group. Nationwide, approximately 1.15 crore girls are expected to benefit from the programme.
The vaccination will be offered free of cost at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Primary Health Centres), Community Health Centres, sub-district and district hospitals, and government medical colleges.
Focus on Awareness and Accessibility
In Bengaluru, the campaign will be conducted in all government healthcare facilities, including hospitals attached to Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute and Bowring and Lady Curzon Medical College and Research Institute.
The Health Department has intensified grassroots awareness campaigns to address misconceptions and encourage parental consent. Officials emphasise that early immunisation significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer later in life.
Cervical cancer remains a serious public health concern in India. According to health experts, HPV infection is the primary cause of the disease. Preventive vaccination during adolescence offers long-term protection and reduces future treatment burdens.
Three-Month Phased Campaign
The State will implement the vaccination drive in phases over three months to ensure comprehensive coverage. District-level monitoring teams have been instructed to track progress and address logistical challenges promptly.
With the Centre’s support and vaccine supply now streamlined, Karnataka’s long-awaited HPV vaccination initiative is finally gaining momentum. Health officials hope the campaign will significantly reduce the future incidence of cervical cancer and strengthen adolescent health outcomes across the State.
