Karnataka’s Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for adolescent girls has crossed the two-lakh mark, with 2,00,028 beneficiaries covered so far. This accounts for 29% of the total target population of 6.89 lakh girls aged between 14 years and 15 years in the State.

Official data available till May 11 showed that 39.4% of the 5,08,025 single-dose vaccine vials stock allotted to the State had been utilised so far. The HPV vaccine is considered a key preventive intervention against cervical cancer, one of the leading cancers affecting women in India.

On February 28, the Union government formally launched a nationwide HPV vaccination programme, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ajmer, Rajasthan. Following this, Karnataka initiated its State-level rollout on the same day at K.C. General Hospital.

In Karnataka, the vaccine is being administered through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Primary Health Centres), Community Health Centres, taluk and district hospitals, and government medical colleges.

The campaign, aimed at protecting girls against HPV, has shown sharp regional variation, with northern Karnataka districts leading the campaign while Bengaluru and some southern districts have recorded slower progress.

Highest in Kalaburgi

Kalaburagi has emerged as the best-performing district, covering 20,511 beneficiaries and achieving 68.5% of its target. It has also utilised 94.2% of the vaccine stock allocated to it.

Yadgir followed with 8,658 beneficiaries and 60.7% target achievement. Shivamogga stood third with 50.9%, while Hassan (45.7%) and Ballari (41.5%) completed the top five districts in terms of coverage.

Other districts that crossed the 35% mark include Koppal (39.2%), Ramanagara (38.1%), Chikkamagaluru (37.8%), Raichur (37.4%), Bengaluru Rural (36.8%) and Kolar (35.8%).

Health officials attributed the stronger performance in these districts to effective mobilisation, better coordination between district administrations and health officials, and regular follow-up by Deputy Commissioners and local field staff.

Lowest in GBA area

At the other end, the Greater Bengaluru Area (GBA) region recorded the lowest progress in the State. Against the highest target of 1,18,339 beneficiaries, only 12,257 girls had been vaccinated till May 11, translating to 10.4% target achievement and 14.3% stock utilisation.

Bagalkote (17.5%), Dakshina Kannada (20.9%), Belagavi (21.7%) and Tumakuru (22%) were also among the areas with slower progress.

Mysuru, despite a relatively high target of 32,946 girls, had covered 7,777 beneficiaries, or 23.6%. Bengaluru Urban stood at 26.7%.

Beneficiaries

The average number of beneficiaries vaccinated per session across Karnataka was seven. Raichur recorded the highest session productivity with 18 beneficiaries per session, followed by Vijayapura with 15. Kalaburagi, Koppal and Bagalkote averaged 12 beneficiaries per session.

In contrast, Bengaluru Urban averaged only three beneficiaries per session, while BBMP, Kodagu, Chickballapur and Dakshina Kannada averaged four.

Officials said urban areas may be facing challenges such as parental hesitancy, school vacations, migration and scheduling constraints, unlike rural districts where outreach through community networks has been smoother.

61% vaccine stocks available

Of the 5,08,025 single-dose vaccine vials received so far, nearly 61% of stocks are still available. The Health Department is expected to intensify the campaign in low-performing districts in the coming weeks.