Chennai: Tamil Nadu plans to more than double the pace of its free HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination drive to protect seven lakh girls before available vaccine stocks expire in Jan 2028. The state has administered 1.15 lakh doses since March 1— about 600 a day — but must raise the pace to at least 1,500 doses daily to meet the target, public health officials said.Nearly 1,000 girls turn 15 each day and become ineligible under the national programme, which provides a free single-dose HPV vaccine only to girls who have completed 14 years but are yet to turn 15. “We plan to ensure every eligible girl gets the single-dose vaccine,” said Dr A Somasundaram, Director of Public Health.Tamil Nadu is increasing awareness efforts and coordinating with the school education department to reach girls before they age out. The urgency is underscored by the state’s growing cancer burden. Tamil Nadu Cancer Registry Project estimates 1,00,097 new cancer cases in 2025, including 53,542 among women. Cervical cancer remains among the leading cancers affecting women.The HPV vaccine protects against cervical cancer and other diseases caused by HPV. India launched its national campaign in Feb, offering the vaccine free at govt health facilities to 14-year-old girls. The rollout lost time during school holidays and the elections. The state’s earlier, self-funded school-based pilot had reached 22,411 of about 27,000 identified girls between Jan and March.But the central programme requires families to bring children to govt hospitals or health centres. Parents must also record consent through a one-time password on the Union govt’s U-WIN platform. Officials said travel, digital-registration requirements and low awareness had slowed uptake. “There are delays, but we are working out ways to address these challenges,” said Dr Bharanidharan, joint director of public health and head of the immunisation wing.The department has begun accepting manually signed consent forms from parents with limited connectivity or no digital access, officials said. It also plans to seek the Centre’s permission to reopen the U-WIN portal for girls who missed vaccination during the initial campaign period.Tamil Nadu has received 5.3 lakh doses under the national programme and will also use vaccines purchased by the State to improve coverage. Officials have consulted former World Health Organization chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan on options for girls who cross the current age cut-off. “Girls who turn 15 need not lose out on protection,” Dr Swaminathan said. “WHO guidance permits either a one-dose or two-dose HPV vaccine schedule for girls and women aged 15 to 20, though India’s current free campaign is restricted to 14-year-olds.”The state should seek the Centre’s approval to reopen the portal and record vaccinations for girls who turned 15 before they could receive their dose, she said. WHO guidance allows either a one- or two-dose schedule for girls and women aged 15 to 20, while prioritising girls aged 9 to 14 for routine programmes.
