Raja Narasimha launches HPV vaccination drive

metro india news  I hyderabad

Health Minister Damodara Rajanarasimha on Saturday launched the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive at King Koti Hospital in Hyderabad on Saturday.  The nationwide HPV vaccination initiative was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ajmer, with participation from all States and Union Territories via a virtual platform. This vaccination program is scheduled to run for a period of three months. 

During the first month, the HPV vaccine will be accessible at all government general hospitals, area hospitals, and community health centers across the city. 

Subsequently, the vaccine will also be provided at primary health centers to ensure broader reach. In his remarks at the event, Health Minister Damodara Rajanarasimha emphasized this initiative as a historic milestone in healthcare, marking the launch of an extensive program aimed at enhancing the health of young girls. 

He noted that due to various factors such as evolving lifestyles, dietary patterns, and pollution the cancer epidemic is proliferating across the nation. “Unfortunately, Telangana records approximately 55,000 to 60,000 new cancer cases annually, with experts projecting a possible 10% increase in the next five years. In response to this challenge, the State government has developed a comprehensive cancer policy.”  he remarked. 

Debating the Dangers

A Closer Look at HPV Vaccine Safety Amid Global Push

A nationwide HPV vaccination campaign targeting girls aged 14 to combat cervical cancer is going to began spotlighting the vaccine's role in preventive health. This initiative, aimed at reducing one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women, has reignited debates over the safety of HPV vaccines like Gardasil and Cervarix. While health authorities hail them as life-saving, critics and ongoing lawsuits highlight alleged risks, from mild side effects to severe, life-altering conditions. As vaccination drives expand globally, understanding the evidence is crucial.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, introduced in 2006, target strains responsible for about 90% of cervical cancers, as well as genital warts and other malignancies. The CDC and WHO emphasize their efficacy: studies show reductions of up to 88% in HPV infections among vaccinated teens and 85% in high-grade cervical abnormalities. Long-term data indicate protection lasting over 12 years, with no waning immunity observed. Proponents argue the benefits far outweigh risks, preventing over 90% of HPV-related cancers when administered early. 

Still concerns about dangers persist. Common side effects include pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, fever, headache, nausea, and dizziness—symptoms affecting up to 1 in 10 recipients but typically resolving quickly. Fainting (syncope) is noted, often stress-related, occurring in about 1.7 cases per million doses. Rare severe reactions like anaphylaxis can be life-threatening but are estimated at 1.7 per million. Monitoring systems like VAERS report serious issues at 1.8 per 100,000 doses, down from prior years. 

Critics, including anti-vaccine advocates, point to more alarming claims. Lawsuits against Merck, maker of Gardasil, allege the vaccine causes autoimmune disorders, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), infertility, and even deaths. Over 100 cases are on appeal after dismissals in 2025, with plaintiffs arguing Merck downplayed risks and misrepresented efficacy.

U.S. Health Secretary RFK Jr. has criticized Gardasil, claiming it increases cervical cancer risk in those already HPV-positive—a view echoed in social media and some studies but refuted by large-scale data. In 2025, a federal judge ruled in Merck's favor, citing FDA preemption on labeling warnings.