Haryana Launches Preparations for National HPV Vaccination Drive
Gurgaon: Haryana has commenced intensive district-level preparations for the upcoming human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, which is set for a national launch on February 28. Health facilities across the state have been placed on high alert to meet stringent preparedness and reporting mandates issued by the Union Health Ministry.
Campaign Targets and Rollout Strategy
The vaccination drive will specifically target adolescent girls who are 14 years old but have not yet reached their 15th birthday. Scheduled to unfold over a three-month period, the campaign will be implemented in a phased manner. It will initiate at district hospitals before expanding to community health centres, primary health centres, and major urban polyclinics.
Dr. Virender Yadav, director of the Haryana National Health Mission (NHM), provided key details: "Haryana has received a total of 1,14,000 vaccine doses. Each district was allocated 2,000 vaccines this past Wednesday. We anticipate vaccinating approximately 3 lakh individuals throughout this year's campaign."
Operational Guidelines and Safety Protocols
Each district hospital has been designated as the primary launch site for the campaign. During the district-level inauguration events, a minimum of 50 eligible girls are required to be vaccinated on-site. The national launch will be conducted via webcast, with district-level activities commencing only after the conclusion of the national event. Strictly no vaccination activities are permitted before or during the national launch window.
District administrations have received explicit instructions to ensure the presence of essential personnel at each launch session, including:
- A qualified vaccinator
- A verifier
- A mobiliser or volunteer
- A medical officer
All beneficiaries must be monitored for at least 30 minutes post-vaccination as a safety precaution. Only health facilities with a permanently posted medical officer are eligible to be designated as HPV vaccination session sites. These facilities must comply with a comprehensive pre-campaign preparedness checklist, which includes maintaining functional cold chain infrastructure such as ILR (Ice Lined Refrigerators), deep freezers, cold boxes, and vaccine carriers.
Vaccine Specifications and Administration Details
The vaccine being administered is Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine manufactured by MSD. It is administered as a single intramuscular dose of 0.5 ml in the left upper arm. Health officials have been directed to ensure that permissible vaccine wastage does not exceed 1%, with particular emphasis on minimizing wastage since the vaccine is supplied in single-dose vials.
To prevent duplication, the left index finger of each beneficiary will be marked after vaccination. All vaccinations will be digitally recorded through the U-WIN portal. An OTP-based digital consent mechanism will be utilized prior to vaccination, though written parental consent remains acceptable. Digital vaccination certificates will be generated and shared with all beneficiaries.
Emphasis on Safety and Long-Term Impact
Health authorities have underscored that the campaign's primary focus is on safe administration, rigorous monitoring, and uniform implementation across all districts as Haryana prepares for the nationwide rollout later this week.
Dr. Randeep Singh, director and senior consultant of oncology services, medical oncology, haemato oncology, and BMT at Narayana Hospital in Gurgaon, elaborated on the significance of the initiative: "The vaccine is most effective when administered prior to exposure to the virus and before the onset of sexual activity. By targeting girls aged nine to 14, this programme establishes a critical wall of immunity at the optimal time. We frequently discuss prevention being superior to cure, but in this instance, the vaccine serves as a literal lifesaver. It reduces the viral load within the community and ultimately alleviates the burden on our healthcare system. We anticipate a substantial decline in cancer cases over the next two decades. Our current focus remains on seamless execution and ensuring that the message of vaccine safety permeates every corner of the nation. This initiative represents not merely a medical milestone but a significant leap toward health equity for every girl in India."
