Vijayawada: The state govt on Monday said the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive has been extended by three months till August, following Centre’s directions to ensure full coverage before schools reopen.According to a release from the health minister’s office, 2.71 lakh girls — 78.57% of identified beneficiaries — have been vaccinated so far under the programme targeting girls aged 14 (those who have turned 14 but are yet to turn 15). In all, 3.45 lakh girls have been identified across the state.Health minister Satya Kumar Yadav said the state has received 3.81 lakh vaccine doses from the Centre in two phases and directed officials to speed up the drive to cover the remaining beneficiaries within the extended deadline. He also called for intensified awareness campaigns to address vaccine hesitancy among parents.Reassuring the public, the minister said no adverse reactions have been reported among the vaccinated girls and described the HPV vaccine as safe and highly effective in preventing cervical cancer.The vaccine is being administered at 1,645 urban and primary health centres equipped with cold-chain facilities, with beneficiaries monitored post-vaccination as per protocol.District-wise data showed Kurnool recorded the highest coverage (18,503), followed by YSR Kadapa (15,167), Kakinada (13,294), Nandyal (12,988) and Palnadu (12,917). Polavaram reported the lowest (1,251), followed by ASR (3,322), Parvathipuram Manyam (4,838), Annamayya (7,440) and Anakapalli (8,028).