Chandigarh: The Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM) Haryana, has appealed for support from media and public relations platforms for the success of the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination campaign being carried out in the state.
In a statement issued here, the Mission Director informed that the Government of India has decided to include the HPV vaccine in the routine immunization programme. At the global level, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, while in India it is the second most common cancer affecting women. According to experts, most cases of cervical cancer are caused by high-risk Human Papillomavirus infection in the genital tract.
The special national campaign for the HPV vaccine was launched on February 28, 2026, and will continue for three months. During this campaign, the vaccine is being administered under a single-dose schedule. Proper arrangements have been made for the deployment of trained health workers, proper storage of the vaccine and strict monitoring of safety. This system will also help create a strong foundation for including it in the routine immunization programme in the future.
The Director further informed that girls aged 14 years, who have completed their 14th birthday but have not yet turned 15 are eligible for the HPV vaccination. Eligible girls will be vaccinated at designated health centres, provided they have not received any dose of the HPV vaccine earlier.
the role of the media is very important for the success of the campaign. In this regard, cooperation has been sought for organising media workshops, promoting HPV vaccination camps through mass communication platforms, and spreading positive messages about vaccination through social media. NHM Haryana said that with the support of the media, awareness among people will increase and more eligible girls will be able to benefit from the vaccination, which will help in the prevention of cervical cancer in the future.
