Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme's pilot phase at the Koothuparambu Taluk Hospital in Kannur on Monday, 3 November.
Published Nov 02, 2025 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 02, 2025 | 8:00 AM
The HPV vaccine is most effective when administered between the ages of 9 and 14, though it can be given up to the age of 26.
Synopsis: According to the World Health Organisation, one in every five women globally suffering from cervical cancer is from India. The country accounts for nearly 25 percent of global cervical cancer deaths, largely due to late diagnosis and limited access to screening. India ranks fourth globally in cervical cancer-related morbidity, highlighting the urgent need for early detection and preventive strategies.
In a landmark move to make Kerala free of cervical cancer, the state government will launch a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme for adolescent girls studying in Plus-One and Plus-Two classes.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the initiative’s pilot phase at the Koothuparambu Taluk Hospital in Kannur at 10.30 am on Monday, 3 November.
The Health Department is spearheading the project aimed at preventing cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among Indian women and a major cause of cancer-related deaths.
The decision to vaccinate Plus-One and Plus-Two students marks a significant public health milestone for Kerala, which has already been at the forefront of cancer prevention and early detection initiatives.
The project follows the recommendations of the Kerala Cancer Care Board, which had proposed HPV vaccination for adolescent girls as a long-term preventive measure.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research – National Cancer Registry Programme, Kerala reported 8,848 cases of cervical cancer between 2019 and 2023, with each year showing a marginal increase.
The government formed a technical committee led by the Health Minister Veena George to evaluate the scientific, logistical, and ethical aspects of the vaccination programme.
After multiple rounds of consultation, the committee recommended starting the vaccination drive among higher secondary students on a pilot basis, with Kannur selected as the first district for implementation.
According to health officials, the HPV vaccine is most effective when administered between the ages of 9 and 14, though it can be given up to the age of 26.
As most adolescent girls in Kerala fall within this range while in higher secondary school, the programme targets students in Plus-One and Plus-Two classes.
According to Minister George, “This is a crucial step toward protecting the next generation of women from cervical cancer. Kerala has taken this proactive decision under the direction of the chief minister, ensuring scientific rigour and public health responsibility.”
To ensure widespread acceptance, the Health Department is rolling out a comprehensive awareness campaign highlighting the safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine.
The campaign will target students, parents, teachers, and the general public, addressing misconceptions and fears surrounding vaccination.
In August, the department sanctioned ₹32.23 lakh for IEC/BCC (Information, Education, and Communication / Behaviour Change Communication) activities related to HPV vaccination.
These funds will be used to produce awareness materials, conduct school-level sessions, and coordinate outreach activities through various media platforms.
Additionally, an amount of ₹67.25 lakh was transferred to the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL) for procuring Video Colposcopes and Disposable Vaginal Speculums, essential equipment for cervical screening and diagnosis.
Voluntary organisations, including the Lions Club and Rotary Club, have also extended their support to the campaign, partnering with the government to strengthen community participation.
The HPV vaccination initiative forms part of the state’s larger cancer prevention strategy, “Arogyam Anandam, Akattam Arbudam” (Life is joy, keep cancer at bay), which has already screened over 17 lakh people for various cancers.
Under the Kerala Cancer Care Grid, diagnosis and treatment facilities across the state have been integrated to ensure early detection and coordinated management of cancer cases.
Minister George has directed officials to further intensify these efforts to bring down the state’s cancer burden.
Cervical cancer, caused primarily by certain strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), is largely preventable through vaccination and regular screening.
The state’s pilot vaccination programme in Kannur aims not only to immunise adolescent girls but also to generate public confidence and prepare for a statewide rollout.
By combining vaccination, awareness, and screening, Kerala aims to set a national benchmark in women’s health protection — taking a decisive step toward ensuring a cervical cancer-free future.
It is being pointed out that Kerala could take a cue from a 2022 letter issued by the Union government to all states and Union Territories, which outlined a comprehensive framework for implementing the HPV vaccination drive among girls aged 9–14 years.
The letter urged states to organise vaccination centres in schools, direct District Education Officers to work alongside District Immunisation Officers under the District Magistrate-led District Task Force on Immunisation, and coordinate with both government and private school management boards.
It also recommended appointing nodal persons in every school to coordinate vaccination activities and upload student data on the U-WIN portal, generating awareness through teachers and PTA meetings, preparing updated UDISE+ school lists (school education data platform under the Ministry of Education) for micro-planning and GIS mapping, and ensuring that vaccination schedules avoid exam and holiday periods.
The directive served as a model for states to conduct a coordinated and school-based vaccination campaign, ensuring that no eligible child was left out.
According to the World Health Organisation, one in every five women globally suffering from cervical cancer is from India.
The country accounts for nearly 25 percent of global cervical cancer deaths, largely due to late diagnosis and limited access to screening.
India ranks fourth globally in cervical cancer-related morbidity, highlighting the urgent need for early detection and preventive strategies.
Though HPV is not the sole cause, studies have shown a 90 percent correlation between HPV infection and cervical cancer, strengthening the case for targeted vaccination.
The Quadrivalent HPV Vaccine, developed in India, has been hailed earlier as a boon by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who emphasised its simple two-dose regimen for girls below 15 years and three doses for those older.
He noted that around one lakh Indian women die annually from cervical cancer, with over 90 percent having a history of HPV infection.
In 2022, the Centre urged all States and Union Territories to spread awareness on cervical cancer prevention and the importance of the HPV vaccine.
A joint letter by the Union Education and Health Secretaries underscored that cervical cancer, though preventable and curable, remains India’s second-most common cancer in women.
Meanwhile, the ICMR reports that 83.2 percent of invasive cervical cancers in India are linked to HPV types 16 and 18—making mass vaccination and accessible screening an urgent public health priority.
While the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) recommended introducing the HPV vaccine in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) for girls aged 9–14 years, it has not yet been included.
Though several states rolled out HPV vaccination drives at various points in time, a holistic approach and wide coverage are found to be missing.
As Kerala prepares to launch its pilot HPV vaccination drive, the initiative reflects both a scientific and social commitment to women’s health— with the larger goal of safeguarding future generations from a preventable disease.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
