India, May 28 -- The Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) HPV immunisation drive to prevent cervical cancer has seen a poor response, with only 1,312 girls vaccinated against a target of 35,000 beneficiaries, highlighting the growing impact of misinformation and low awareness around the vaccine.

Launched on February 28, 2026, the campaign targets girls aged 14 who are yet to turn 15, a key age group for protection against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is linked to cervical cancer.

The vaccine is being administered free of cost at 76 PMC-run hospitals across the city. Official data show that PMC planned 1,721 vaccination sessions over the past three months and conducted 1,433, but beneficiary numbers remained far below expectations...