State to begin HPV vaccination drive for 14-year-old girls in mining-affected districts

In order to prevent cervical cancer, Karnataka’s health department will soon start a vaccine driving to apply the Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to 14 -year -old girls in mining areas. A government order on this effect was released on Tuesday.

The initiative, which is announced in the 2025-26 budget of the state, follows recommendations of an expert committee to provide two doses of HPV vaccine to girls aged 9 years to 14 years as a preventive measure against cervical cancer. According to GO, the vaccination driver will begin in eight taluks in four regions affected by mining.

The program includes the Taluks of Gubbi, Chikkanayakanahalli and Tipur in the Tubakuru region; Sandur in Honey; In Chitradurga, Hollakkere, Hosadurga and Molakalmuru; And in Vijayanagara, Hosapete. For the campaign, ₹ 4.74 CRORE data was fixed to 1.260 via Karnılka Mining Environmental Restoration Company (KMERC).

The department found 37.470 appropriate beneficiaries. The vaccine will be applied to the government and to the girls registered to auxiliary schools and out of school girls. In order to benefit from the vaccine, beneficiaries must have a poverty line (BPL) ration card.