More than five lakh adolescent girls in Gujarat have received the first dose of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine under a statewide public health campaign aimed at preventing cervical cancer. As of May 6, a total of 5,14,566 vaccinations have been administered out of 5,62,324 eligible girls, bringing overall coverage to 91.5 percent, according to official health department data.

The campaign, which primarily targets 14-year-old girls, is being implemented across government medical college hospitals, district and sub-district hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) throughout the state. On a single day, 7,913 girls were vaccinated, reflecting continued momentum in the drive. The vaccine is being provided free of cost as part of the state’s preventive healthcare programme.

State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said the drive has been conducted under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and has not reported any serious adverse effects so far. He said the absence of major complications highlights both the safety of the HPV vaccine and the effectiveness of the ongoing immunisation programme.

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District-level data shows wide variations in coverage across Gujarat, with several urban corporations and districts reporting over 100 percent coverage due to inclusion of previously unvaccinated eligible girls. Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Narmada, Junagadh, Jamnagar, and Gandhinagar corporations have all crossed or slightly exceeded their target figures, reflecting strong implementation in these regions.

However, some areas continue to lag behind the state average. Ahmedabad Corporation has reported only 47 percent coverage, the lowest among all reported units, while Dang district stands at 81 percent. Other districts such as Rajkot district, Devbhumi Dwarka, Kachchh, Morbi, and Amreli have also recorded coverage in the 80–90 percent range, indicating uneven progress across regions.

Health officials said the campaign will continue until the end of May, with a renewed push to reach remaining eligible girls. The state health department has urged parents to ensure timely vaccination at nearby government health facilities and warned against misinformation circulating on social media. Officials emphasised that the HPV vaccine is a key preventive measure against cervical cancer and is backed by established scientific evidence.

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