Bhubaneswar, March 1 -- In a major public health milestone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Programme aimed at preventing cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among women in India. The national rollout was inaugurated from Ajmer, Rajasthan, with simultaneous launch events held across all States and Union Territories.

Under the programme, approximately 1.15 crore girls aged 14 years will receive the HPV vaccine free of cost at government health facilities. Girls who turn 15 within 90 days of the launch are also eligible under a special intensive campaign that will run for three months to ensure maximum coverage. After this focused drive, the vaccine will conti...