Ajmer, Oct. 1 -- Ajmer has recorded 43.16% coverage in the HPV vaccination campaign aimed at protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer. The district, where Prime Min ister Narendra Modi launched the campaign on February 28, is currently behind several districts of Rajasthan in vaccination coverage. Against a target of 21,123 girls, 9,117 have received the first dose so far. The state has set a target of vaccinating 724,000 girls, while over 50% of the first-dose target remains to be achieved. According to the figures, 17 districts have recorded higher coverage than Ajmer. Dungarpur leads with 100.44%, followed by Bhilwara (87.28%), Banswara (84.97%), Jalore (66.72%), Dholpur (64.86%), Sirohi (57.29%), Hanumangarh (53.79%), Baran (52.24%), Karauli (50.62%), Churu (50.53%), Dausa (49.32%), Bundi (49.26%), Jhalawar (49.05%), Pali (47.23%), Kota (47.17%), Pratapgarh (46.04%) and Bharatpur (44.02%). The major challenge is low awareness among parents about HPV infection and the importance of vaccination. Health officials are also facing vaccine hesitancy caused by misconceptions and misinformation. Lack of parental consent, absence of eligible girls from schools and difficulties in reaching beneficiaries are other factors affecting coverage. In rural areas, poor internet connectivity can also create difficulties in registration and updating vaccination details on the U-WIN portal. CMHO Dr Jyotsna Ranga said adequate stocks of the vaccine are available in the district and appealed to parents to ensure that their eligible daughters receive the vaccine. "We have been given a target of achieving 100% coverage by October, and efforts are being made to achieve the target," she said....