Bhubaneswar, Feb 25: In a major step toward preventing cervical cancer, the Odisha government will roll out a free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for adolescent girls and women across the state. The statewide drive will be formally launched on the 28th by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Directorate of Family Welfare has initiated extensive preparations, including a detailed micro-plan for phased implementation across districts. Health workers have been trained, and ASHA and Anganwadi workers have been tasked with identifying eligible beneficiaries. The vaccines, supplied by the Centre, are expected to reach the state within two days. The programme will be implemented as per guidelines issued by the Central Government.
In the first phase, the HPV vaccine will be administered at schools and colleges, targeting adolescent girls. Subsequently, women up to 40 years of age will be covered under the immunisation drive. Medical experts recommend two doses of the vaccine, with the second dose to be taken within 6 to 12 months after the first.
Health officials said the initiative is expected to significantly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in the state. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV strains is known to cause nearly 90% of cervical cancer cases, with HPV types 16 and 18 being the most common and primarily transmitted through sexual contact.
A recent third-party survey conducted in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar among 5,000 women revealed that 12% of women in Cuttack tested positive for HPV. Of nearly 200 women identified with the infection, nine were diagnosed with cervical cancer. Officials said similar trends may be observed in other districts.
Cervical cancer remains a serious public health concern. National data indicate that one woman in India dies every eight minutes due to the disease. In Odisha alone, an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually.
Authorities described the free vaccination programme as a crucial preventive measure that could act as a “lifesaving shield” for women across the state.
