Tamil Nadu is set to launch a free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme by the end of next month. The programme will start in four districts with high cervical cancer rates - Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruvannamalai, and Dharmapuri. Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said 27,000 girls in these districts will get the first dose soon. Overall, 3,38,000 girls across the State aged 9 to 14 years will benefit. Each girl will receive two vaccine doses. The State government allocated ₹36 crore for this health drive. The tender for the vaccine supply is ready, and training for doctors and nurses has begun. The programme will first cover girls in government and government-aided schools. Tamil Nadu will be the first State in India to offer HPV vaccine free of cost; in private clinics, one dose costs nearly ₹2,000. On another health front, the HIV rate in Tamil Nadu is 0.16%, lower than the national average of 0.23%. The State ensures all pregnant women are screened for HIV and syphilis to prevent transmission to babies. There are 2,600 Nambikkai Maiyams (testing centres) and 81 Anti Retroviral Therapy centres in Tamil Nadu. The government is actively monitoring safe medical practices and aims to make the State free of HIV/AIDS by 2030, said the Health Minister.