Karnataka’s HPV vaccination plan revived under Centre’s national rollout

Although Karnataka had announced a dedicated Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive last year for girls in mining-affected districts, the programme could not take off as planned due to delays in vaccine procurement. Now, with the Union government rolling out a nationwide HPV immunisation initiative, the State is set to begin implementation under the national framework.

The State government had issued a Government Order on August 9 last year, following an announcement in the 2025–26 Budget, to administer two doses of the HPV vaccine to girls aged 9 to 14 in mining-affected districts as a preventive measure against cervical cancer. The initial phase was to cover eight taluks across four mining-affected districts – Gubbi, Chikkanayakanahalli and Tiptur in Tumakuru; Sandur in Ballari; Holalkere, Hosadurga and Molakalmuru in Chitradurga; and Hosapete in Vijayanagara.

KMERC grant

A grant of ₹4.74 crore had been sanctioned through the Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC), with each dose costing ₹1,260. Officials said extensive groundwork had been completed, and 37,470 eligible BPL beneficiaries — students in government and aided schools as well as out-of-school girls — had been identified.

However, the vaccination drive was delayed due to changes in the official hierarchy at the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd. (KSMSCL), which slowed the procurement process.

On February 28, the Union government formally launched a nationwide HPV vaccination programme, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ajmer, Rajasthan. Following this, Karnataka initiated its State-level rollout last Saturday at K.C. General Hospital.

2.54L single dose vials

Under the national programme, a single-dose HPV vaccine will be administered to girls aged 14 to 15. The State has received 2.54 lakh single-dose vials from the Centre, and distribution to districts is currently under way. The campaign is expected to gather momentum in the coming days.

In Karnataka, around six lakh girls have been identified as eligible beneficiaries. Nearly 1.15 crore girls across the country in the 14–15 age group are expected to benefit from the programme. 

The vaccine will be administered through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Primary Health Centres), Community Health Centres, sub-district and district hospitals, and government medical colleges. In Bengaluru, the drive will be conducted in all government facilities, including hospitals attached to Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute and Bowring and Lady Curzon Medical College and Research Institute.

Three-month campaign

The three-month campaign will be implemented in phases to ensure that all identified beneficiaries are covered. The Health Department has stepped up awareness efforts at the grassroots level to encourage families to utilise the free vaccination facility.

Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related illness among women. The HPV vaccine protects against the Human Papillomavirus, a major cause of the disease.