West Bengal Launches Major HPV Vaccination Drive Against Cervical Cancer

West Bengal has initiated a significant Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, a crucial step in the state's public health efforts to combat cervical cancer among young girls. The extensive drive was officially launched on May 30, 2026, by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. This statewide program targets approximately 7.65 lakh (765,000) adolescent girls who have completed 14 years of age but are yet to turn 15. The vaccination is provided free of cost at designated government health facilities across the state. This initiative by the West Bengal government is a regional rollout of India's broader national HPV vaccination program, which was launched earlier by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 28, 2026. The nationwide campaign aims to protect 14-year-old girls across all states and Union Territories from cervical cancer. While most states commenced their drives immediately following the national launch, West Bengal's implementation was delayed due to assembly elections. The vaccine being administered in this campaign is a single dose of the quadrivalent Gardasil-4 vaccine. This vaccine is highly effective, offering protection against HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases, as well as types 6 and 11, which cause viral warts. Global and national expert bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and India's National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), have validated and recommended HPV vaccination for cervical cancer prevention. Cervical cancer poses a significant public health challenge in India, being the second most common cancer among women. Reports indicate over 1.2 lakh new cases and nearly 80,000 deaths annually in India due to cervical cancer, accounting for a quarter of global cervical cancer deaths. Persistent infection with high-risk Human Papillomavirus types, particularly 16 and 18, is established as the primary cause of almost all cervical cancer cases. The strategic goal of this vaccination program is to protect girls before potential exposure to HPV infection, thereby significantly reducing the risk of developing cervical cancer in adulthood. In West Bengal, vaccination sessions are being conducted at 881 designated government health facilities, including medical colleges, district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, state general hospitals, and block primary health centers. Initially, the program was rolled out at 235 health centers. The campaign is designed to be completed within three months, aiming for maximum coverage of the eligible age group. Important aspects of the campaign include its voluntary nature and the mandatory requirement of parental or guardian consent before administering the vaccine. The Union Health Ministry provided 7,72,650 doses of the vaccine to Bengal free of cost, ensuring adequate supply for the target group. This large-scale vaccination drive marks a critical stride towards strengthening preventive healthcare in India and protecting the future health of its young female population, aligning with the global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat. The long-term benefits of this initiative are expected to significantly reduce the incidence and mortality associated with cervical cancer in the coming decades.

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