NEW DELHI: The government is set to roll out a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls aged 14 and above, offering the Gardasil jab free of cost as part of a major push to curb cervical cancer, according to official sources cited by PTI.The voluntary programme, to be implemented across the country in the coming weeks, aims to expand equitable access to life-saving immunisation and strengthen India’s fight against one of the most common cancers affecting women.Officials said the quadrivalent HPV vaccine to be administered under the programme protects against HPV types 16 and 18 — responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases — as well as types 6 and 11.Emphasising the scientific backing for the initiative, an official source 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.”Citing strong global and Indian scientific evidence, a senior source noted that a single dose administered within the recommended age group provides “robust and durable protection”.“Vaccination under the national programme will be voluntary and free of cost, ensuring equitable access across socio-economic groups,” the PTI reported, citing sources.

What is ‘Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar’ drive?

The ‘Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan’ is described as the largest-ever health outreach initiative for women and children in India. Jointly spearheaded by the Ministry of health & family welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of women & child development (MoWCD), the nationwide campaign saw lakhs of health camps organised between 17 September and 2 October at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Community Health Centres (CHCs), district hospitals and other government health facilities.The initiative focused on delivering women-centric preventive, promotive and curative healthcare services at the community level. It strengthened screening, early detection and treatment linkages for non-communicable diseases, anaemia, tuberculosis and sickle cell disease.Simultaneously, it promoted maternal, child and adolescent health through antenatal care, immunisation, nutrition support, menstrual hygiene awareness, and lifestyle and mental health interventions.The campaign also sought to mobilise communities towards healthier living, placing particular emphasis on obesity prevention, improved nutrition and voluntary blood donation, reinforcing the broader goal of building healthier families through empowered women.