Cervical cancer vaccination programme for adolescent girls in Odisha to be launched on Feb 28

Adolescent girls will soon receive protection against cervical cancer. A dedicated vaccination programme in this regard is set to be launched on February 28. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the initiative, Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling announced on Wednesday.

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Under the ambitious programme, girls up to 14 years of age will be administered a single vaccine dose. Those aged above 14 years until marriage will receive three doses, as per newly issued guidelines.

Additionally, ‘Mukhyamantri Karkata Chikitsha Abhiyaan’ (chief minister’s cancer treatment programme) will begin in the 2026–27 financial year with an allocation of Rs 311 crore. The initiative aims to strengthen cancer prevention and treatment efforts across the State, helping combat multiple forms of the disease.

“On the coming 28th, an immunisation programme for cervical cancer will be launched. In Odisha, the Chief Minister and I will be present. To prevent cervical cancer, a single-dose system will be implemented for girls up to 14 years of age. Additionally, for those from 14 years until marriage, there will be a three-dose regimen,” the Health Minister said.

“In the FY 2026-27, we are starting a new scheme in Odisha called ‘Mukhyamantri Karkata Chikitsha Abhiyaan’ for which we have allocated Rs 311 crore. The State government is committed to preventing cervical cancer, breast cancer, and other types of cancer in Odisha and will continue to move this programme forward in the future,” the Minister added.