State Launches HPV Vaccination Drive for Teen Girls in Mining Areas

Speedy Summary

• Karnataka’s Health Department will soon launch a vaccination drive to prevent cervical cancer by administering the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to 14-year-old girls in mining-affected districts.
• A government order issued Tuesday formalized the initiative, following recommendations from an expert committee included in the State’s 2025-26 budget plan.
• Two doses of the HPV vaccine will be provided as a preventive measure to eligible girls aged 9-14 years across eight taluks in four districts:

– Tumakuru District: Gubbi, Chikkanayakanahalli, Tiptur
– Ballari District: Sandur
– Chitradurga District: Holalkere, Hosadurga, molakalmuru
– Vijayanagara District: Hosapete

• ₹4.74 crore is earmarked through Karnataka Mining Habitat Restoration Corporation (KMERC), with each dose costing ₹1,260.
• Eligible beneficiaries (37,470 girls) include those enrolled in government/aided schools and out-of-school adolescents possessing Below Poverty line (BPL) ration cards.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The HPV vaccination campaign aims at addressing cervical cancer risks among adolescent girls. By targeting mining regions and linking eligibility with BPL criteria, this program seeks to tackle healthcare gaps among socially vulnerable populations while leveraging KMERC funds for public health. The inclusion of both school-going and out-of-school beneficiaries reflects awareness about broader accessibility challenges.

The focus on mining-affected areas is significant due to potential higher vulnerabilities linked with socio-economic disparities often prevalent in such regions. However, implementation will require meticulous planning-covering logistics for rural outreach and also sensitization efforts around vaccination benefits-to deliver meaningful impact within identified taluks effectively.

Growing emphasis on preventive healthcare aligns well with global best practices but underscores India’s pressing need for expansive programmes tackling noncommunicable diseases like cervical cancer nationwide.

Read More: Published July 10, 2025 [Link or refer source details]