A shot at life, Mandsaur’s model for HPV vaccination

The article details a successful HPV vaccination campaign in Mandsaur district, Madhya Pradesh, aimed at preventing cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among Indian women. It highlights India's significant cervical cancer burden and the Government of India's nationwide campaign to provide free HPV vaccinations to girls aged 14-15. The Mandsaur model adopted a data-driven, decentralized, and adaptive strategy, specifically targeting vulnerable populations like the Banchhada community, nomadic tribes, urban slums, and school dropouts. It leveraged existing government databases (RBSK, SAMAGRA MP, Ladli Laxmi Yojana) and employed a 'Nudge Approach' to overcome vaccine hesitancy, social stigma, and logistical barriers. The campaign integrated with ongoing healthcare programs and achieved 100% of its vaccination target in less than 40 days, demonstrating effective grassroots implementation.