Hyderabad: Telangana on Saturday launched a State-wide HPV vaccination drive targeting nearly four lakh girls aged 14 to 15 years to prevent cervical cancer, with Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha inaugurating the programme at King Koti Hospital.
The three-month HPV vaccination drive will cover an estimated 3.5 lakh to 4 lakh girls across the State. Initially, authorities will administer the vaccine at Government General Hospitals, Area Hospitals and Community Health Centres. Subsequently, officials will extend the programme to Primary Health Centres.
The government will provide the Gardasil vaccine free of cost under the HPV vaccination drive. In contrast, private hospitals charge between ₹3,000 and ₹4,000 for a single dose. Therefore, officials said the scheme would reduce the financial burden on families.
HPV vaccination drive aims to curb rising cervical cancer cases
Addressing the gathering, the minister described the initiative as a significant public health intervention. He said cancer cases were rising due to lifestyle changes, dietary patterns and pollution. At present, Telangana records 55,000 to 60,000 cancer cases annually. Moreover, experts have warned that the figure may rise by 10% over the next five years.
Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in the country. In Telangana alone, around 3,200 women contract the disease each year. Notably, nearly 99.7% of cervical cancer cases are linked to the Human Papilloma Virus. Hence, vaccination offers a strong preventive shield.
Meanwhile, the government has formulated a comprehensive cancer policy. It has also expanded chemotherapy services beyond Hyderabad to districts such as Mulugu and Adilabad. In addition, authorities have set up Day Care Cancer Centres in every district and introduced mobile screening units for early detection. Through Health Mahila Clinics, officials are conducting extensive screening among women.
Furthermore, the government will soon declare cancer a notifiable disease to strengthen surveillance and control. The minister added that noted oncologist Dr Nori Dattatreya has been appointed adviser to guide cancer control measures.
The programme also saw the participation of MP Anil Kumar Yadav, Health Principal Secretary Christina Z Chongthu and Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Dr Sangeeta Satyanarayana.
Telangana Launches State-wide HPV Vaccination Drive
Health Minister Shri Damodar Rajanarsimha @DamodarCilarapu launched the HPV vaccination drive at King Koti Hospital, Hyderabad.
The 3-month drive will cover nearly 3.5 to 4 lakh girls aged 14–15 years across the State. For the… pic.twitter.com/d3Mk34FJP0
— IPRDepartment (@IPRTelangana) February 28, 2026