LUCKNOW, March 1 -- Uttar Pradesh launched the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign on Saturday as part of a larger nationwide drive rolled out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ajmer, Rajasthan.

In Lucknow, the drive was inaugurated by deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak and minister of state for health Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh at King George's Medical University (KGMU).

The vaccination drive aimed at checking cervical cancer will run in campaign mode for the next three months and gradually cover the entire state as part of routine immunisation, officials said.

"I want to assure daughters and women that their protection is the state government's priority. This vaccination will cover all eligible girls in the state. All...