Ahmedabad HPV vaccination drive: Only 5% of eligible girls covered in first four weeks

The ongoing vaccination drive against cervical cancer in Ahmedabad has achieved only around 5% coverage in its first four weeks, as per health officials.

Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in India, with a diagnosis reported every four minutes and a death every seven minutes, according to experts.

The free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign was launched in the city on March 4. Of the 45,335 adolescent girls identified as eligible, only 2,257 have been vaccinated so far, translating to a coverage of 4.98%.

A total of 606 vaccination sessions were planned, but only nine have been conducted to date, officials said.

The Gujarat government has set a target to vaccinate 5.5 lakh adolescent girls across the state, though experts said the slow pace in Ahmedabad could pose challenges in achieving the goal.

Medical experts said HPV types 16 and 18 are primarily responsible for cervical cancer, and vaccination at around 14 years of age is most effective in building immunity.

“If HPV infection persists, it can develop into cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and eventually progress to aggressive cancer over 10 to 20 years,” doctors said.

They added that the HPV vaccine is widely regarded as one of the most effective preventive tools against cervical cancer. As per World Health Organization guidelines, girls aged 9 to 14 years are recommended to receive one or two doses, while those aged 15 years and above may require two doses spaced six months apart.

Doctors noted that early-stage cervical cancer often shows no clear symptoms, making awareness crucial. Warning signs may include bleeding after intercourse, irregular or heavy menstrual bleeding, post-menopausal bleeding, foul-smelling discharge and persistent pelvic or lower back pain.

Health authorities emphasised that the HPV vaccine is safe, with no proven link to infertility or serious side effects. Global studies have shown significant impact, including a sharp decline in cervical cancer cases in countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia following widespread vaccination.