In a pioneering step toward eliminating cervical cancer, Tamil Nadu has become the first state in India to provide free HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccines for girls up to the age of 14. The ambitious initiative, backed by a ₹38 crore allocation for 2025, underscores the state’s commitment to preventive healthcare and women’s wellness.
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Tamil Nadu has rolled out an extensive vaccination campaign aimed at protecting young girls from cervical cancer — one of the most preventable yet deadly cancers affecting women. The free HPV vaccination programme ensures that every eligible girl can access the vaccine through government hospitals and community outreach centres, regardless of her economic background.
Health department officials have announced that the vaccination will be implemented in a phased manner, accompanied by statewide awareness drives in both urban and rural areas. This approach aligns with the World Health Organization’s global goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030, marking a shift from treatment-based interventions to proactive prevention.
Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among Indian women, causing nearly 77,000 deaths each year. Most of these fatalities are preventable through timely vaccination and regular screening.
To address this, Tamil Nadu has increased its total health budget to ₹21,906 crore, allocating ₹110 crore specifically for cancer detection and early screening initiatives. By introducing free HPV vaccination, the state has reinforced its public health mission to combat cancer through both prevention and early diagnosis.
While the Union Government’s Universal Immunisation Programme is still expanding HPV vaccine coverage nationwide, Tamil Nadu’s independent and fully funded rollout sets a new benchmark in state-led healthcare reform.
The State Advisory Committee has been instrumental in guiding the implementation strategy, ensuring effective coordination between local health workers, schools, and hospitals. Experts believe this comprehensive model could serve as a blueprint for other states looking to accelerate cervical cancer prevention efforts.
Beyond vaccination, Tamil Nadu is actively promoting health education, community awareness, and vaccine confidence, encouraging parents and guardians to prioritise immunisation for adolescent girls.
The HPV vaccine is a proven tool in preventing cervical cancer — a disease caused primarily by high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Research across multiple global studies, including one from Sweden involving 1.7 million women, has shown that girls vaccinated before the age of 17 have up to a 90% lower risk of developing cervical cancer.
The vaccine works by triggering the immune system to produce protective antibodies that prevent HPV infections before they occur. Besides cervical cancer, it also provides protection against cancers of the vagina, vulva, anus, throat, and penis, as well as genital warts.
Early vaccination — ideally before the onset of sexual activity — offers the strongest protection and has been shown to dramatically reduce cervical cancer rates in several countries.
Tamil Nadu’s forward-thinking vaccination campaign demonstrates how proactive prevention and equal access to healthcare can transform women’s health outcomes. By targeting young girls early, the state aims not only to reduce cervical cancer deaths but also to promote long-term health equity and empowerment.
This initiative sets an example for other Indian states to follow, emphasizing that preventive healthcare investment is both cost-effective and life-saving. If replicated nationwide, such efforts could bring India significantly closer to eliminating cervical cancer within a generation.