HPV Vaccination and Cervical Cancer Screening at Chitradurga
Date: 8th and 9th August 2026
Mitra CanCare Foundation, in collaboration with The Sathya Sai Trust, successfully conducted the second-dose Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive for girls participating in the Chitradurga pilot program. The pilot initiative began in January 2026, when 104 girls received their first dose of the HPV vaccine on 3 and 10 January at Chitradurga.
As part of the ongoing vaccination program, the second dose was administered on 8 and 9 August 2026 at Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital and Suneetha Nursing Home, respectively. The program was made possible through the valuable support of Dr. Mahalaxmi and Dr. Pratima, along with the nursing staff, interns and other support teams from Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital and Suneetha Nursing Home. Four Mitra Sevaks also actively supported the vaccination drive throughout the two days. We are grateful to Mr. Venkatesh from Serum Institute, Davangere, and the AK PHARMA dealer for ensuring the timely supply.
The drive followed a systematic process, beginning with student registration and a pre-vaccination check of vital parameters. Following medical clearance, the children were administered the HPV vaccine and kept under observation for 30 minutes to monitor for any immediate reactions or common side effects such as injection-site pain, redness or swelling, as well as symptoms such as headache, fatigue or nausea. To make the experience comfortable for the children, Badam milk and buttermilk were provided as refreshments following vaccination. Across the two-day drive, 89 children from eight schools received their second dose of the HPV vaccine. Five children could not be vaccinated on the day as they presented with cold and fever. Based on the doctors’ advice, vaccination was deferred for them, and their parents were advised to contact Dr. Sowmya and complete the vaccination within the following 10 days.
The cooperation of the doctors, nursing teams, interns and support staff from Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital and Suneetha Nursing Home, together with the dedicated efforts of the Mitra Sevaks, made the vaccination drive a smooth and positive experience for the children.