Haryana has witnessed a steady rise in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage, with cumulative doses across the state increasing significantly during a recent 10-day review period. The state’s overall coverage doubled from nearly 6% on April 23 to 12% by May 4, reflecting improved mobilisation and stronger field-level coordination.
According to UWIN data, Haryana has vaccinated 27,227 adolescents aged 14–15 years against a target population of 2.26 lakh.
Meanwhile, the city recorded a gradual increase in vaccinations, with cumulative doses crossing 1,600 and coverage reaching around 10%. Health officials reported that the city administered 111 doses in a single day, indicating a steady pickup in the campaign.
Karnal and Yamunanagar Lead the State
Among Haryana districts, Karnal and Yamunanagar continue to lead the vaccination drive.
Karnal administered 261 doses in a day and achieved a cumulative total of 4,525 vaccinations, translating to 37% coverage. Similarly, Yamunanagar reported 182 doses in a day and reached 3,326 cumulative doses, or 35% coverage.
Kurukshetra also showed strong progress by administering 180 doses in a day, taking its cumulative total to 1,404 vaccinations.
NCR Districts Show Mixed Progress
Among NCR districts, Faridabad administered 1,503 doses and achieved 7% coverage, while Nuh reached 1,351 doses with similar coverage levels.
Additionally, Panchkula, Panipat, and Rewari reported coverage between 11% and 15%. However, several districts continue to lag behind. Jind recorded only 3% coverage, while Hisar and Jhajjar each stood at 4%, highlighting uneven vaccine uptake across the state.
Early Review Flagged Slow Progress
Earlier, on April 23, Haryana had achieved only about 6% coverage, with 13,580 doses administered nearly two months after the campaign began on February 28.
During a state steering committee meeting, officials identified several factors responsible for the slow rollout. These included:
- Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation
- Gaps in identifying beneficiaries, especially out-of-school girls
- Weak inter-departmental coordination during the initial phase
At that time, Gurgaon reflected a similar trend, with only 709 doses administered against a target of 16,228. Moreover, districts such as Jhajjar, Jind, and Charkhi Dadri remained in low triple digits, while Karnal and Yamunanagar performed comparatively better.
Authorities Intensify Mobilisation Efforts
Following the review, state authorities directed departments to intensify awareness and mobilisation activities.
As reported by TOI, schools became central to the vaccination campaign, with teachers identifying eligible girls and facilitating parental consent. Simultaneously, ASHA and anganwadi workers began mapping out-of-school adolescents to improve outreach.
Urban local bodies and panchayats also expanded vaccination awareness drives in:
- Slum areas
- Construction sites
- Rural communities
Dr. Virender Yadav, Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Haryana, emphasized the need for continued mobilisation.
“We have requested deputy commissioners, schools, panchayats, urban local bodies, and the women and child development department to strengthen mobilisation. We are seeing improvement, but much more needs to be done. There are several myths associated with this vaccine. It is safe and helps prevent cervical cancer. We will continue to monitor the campaign closely,” he said.
Improved Coordination Drives Recent Uptake
Health officials stated that the recent rise in daily vaccination numbers reflects better coordination between departments and stronger grassroots-level implementation.
However, officials also cautioned that sustaining the momentum remains critical as the three-month campaign window approaches its final phase.
HPV Vaccination Crucial for Preventing Cervical Cancer
Experts continue to stress the importance of HPV vaccination in preventing cervical cancer, as nearly all cervical cancer cases are linked to HPV infection.
India records an estimated 79,000 new cervical cancer cases and nearly 35,000 related deaths annually, making early vaccination a major public health priority.
With limited time remaining in the campaign, Haryana will need to significantly accelerate vaccination coverage to move closer to the global target of vaccinating 90% of girls by the age of 15.