More than 10 days into the capital’s three-month HPV vaccination drive targeting 14-year-old girls to fight cervical cancer, footfall at vaccination centers remains poor, with only 285 girls vaccinated till Tuesday, according to Delhi Health Department data accessed by HT.
Read also: ‘Good actors’: Why the US ‘allowed’ India to buy Russian oil despite tariff tensions
The campaign, which launched on February 28, aims to vaccinate about 160,000 teenage girls across the capital, with 4,000 sessions planned over three months.
However, officials said the response was far below expectations, citing a combination of ongoing school exams, low awareness and misinformation about vaccines spreading online as main reasons behind the slow uptake of the vaccines.
Data released by the health department shows that between February 28 and March 10, a total of 218 private vaccination sessions were organized in government hospitals in the city. Despite this, only 285 girls were vaccinated. “Every day, each district holds four to five sessions. However, the turnout has been very low; some sessions get one or two eligible beneficiaries while others get none,” said an official familiar with the matter.
Read also: Trump announces the first American oil refinery in 50 years with support from Reliance; To be created in Texas
As of Monday, 175 sessions had been conducted, during which 272 girls were vaccinated. The above-mentioned official said that additional sessions were organized on Tuesday, but the numbers increased only slightly.
The Delhi Health Minister did not respond to requests for comment on the issue.
Health officials familiar with the details of the campaign said that the low turnout was disappointing, especially considering that the vaccine is expensive on the private market, with its cost ranging from… $4000 and $5000. Another official from the ministry said: “Although the vaccine is free, the response has been limited. We expected much greater participation.” Authorities said the ongoing school examinations have greatly affected participation, as many eligible girls are busy with academic schedules.
Read also: Government summons ESMA to prioritize LPG production for domestic use as conflict escalates in West Asia
Another official from the administration, who did not want to reveal his name, said, “As exams are ongoing in many schools, the turnout was very low due to children being busy. We hope that the turnout will be better once the exams are over in a week or two.”
Misinformation circulating online has also emerged as a challenge. “Some videos on social media are spreading false and unscientific claims suggesting that the vaccine is unsafe. Such misinformation discourages families from bringing their children for vaccination,” the official said.
India has joined more than 160 countries in including the HPV vaccine in the national immunization schedule. Delhi’s drive was launched by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, where 23 girls received the vaccine on the first day.
The initiative is part of a national rollout in which teens are given a single-dose regimen of Gardasil 4, a vaccine that protects against four strains of HPV linked to cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases. Health experts point out that vaccinating teenagers before potential exposure to the virus provides the highest level of protection.
To improve participation, the health department said it has launched several outreach efforts across the city. These include banners and banners as well as door-to-door outreach by ASHA and Anganwadi workers to inform families about the benefits of vaccination.
