08 March,2026 09:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The state health department has set a target to vaccinate 9,84,414 girls, with the campaign scheduled to be completed within the next three months.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday launched a statewide HPV vaccination campaign aimed at protecting more than 9.84 lakh girls from cervical cancer across the state.
The campaign was launched at a programme organised by the Public Health Department at Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan on the occasion of International Women's Day.
Addressing the gathering, Shinde said women often neglect their own health while managing responsibilities in both family and professional life. He emphasised that ensuring women's health is a shared responsibility and urged women to take advantage of government health initiatives.
The vaccination drive targets girls who have completed 14 years but are yet to turn 15. The state health department has set a target to vaccinate 9,84,414 girls, with the campaign scheduled to be completed within the next three months.
The event also honoured women who have made notable contributions in various fields. Women doctors, gynaecologists, surgeons, nurses, health workers and women journalists who have excelled in health reporting were felicitated during the programme.
Union Minister of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge) and Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav joined the programme virtually.
Speaking at the event, Shinde said the rising prevalence of several diseases due to changing lifestyles makes prevention more important than treatment.
He noted that HPV vaccination is an effective measure to prevent cervical cancer and expressed confidence that the campaign would significantly help in reducing the disease.
Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe said women have historically faced discrimination and stressed the need to change society's outlook towards women's health. She highlighted the need for greater counselling in both government and private sectors, noting that many women still face misinformation and lack awareness regarding reproductive health issues.
State Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar said the HPV vaccination campaign is a crucial step toward preventing cervical cancer. He said the special drive would run across Maharashtra for the next three months, after which the vaccine will become part of the regular immunisation programme.
Abitkar also cautioned that misinformation about the HPV vaccine is being circulated on social media and urged journalists and responsible citizens to spread accurate information. He noted that 160 countries worldwide have already implemented HPV vaccination programmes, and India has now become the 161st country to introduce it.
Minister of State Meghna Sakore-Bordikar said both the central and state governments have consistently supported initiatives related to women's health. She stressed that timely diagnosis and vaccination can play a major role in preventing cervical cancer, adding that widespread immunisation could help Maharashtra significantly reduce the disease burden.
Sanjay Ghadhi, Deputy Mayor of Mumbai, also addressed the gathering.
Among those present were Health Department Secretary Nipun Vinayak, Secretary E Ravindran, Commissioner Kadambari Balkawade, Director Nitin Ambadekar and Director Vijay Kandewad, along with other senior officials.
