Gurugram Expands Free HPV Vaccination to PHCs, UPHCs for Girls

Gurugram's health department has significantly expanded its free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, now making the Gardasil-4 vaccine available at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) across the district. This initiative marks a crucial step in the fight against cervical cancer, which remains the second most common cancer among women in India and accounts for a substantial portion of global cervical cancer fatalities. The free vaccination drive, specifically targeting 14-year-old girls, commenced on February 26, 2026, initially at the Civil Hospital in Sector 10A and sub-divisional hospitals in Sohna, Pataudi, and Farrukhnagar. The recent expansion ensures that the vaccine is now accessible at approximately 30 UPHCs, PHCs, and a polyclinic in Sector 31, aiming to improve immunisation coverage against the deadly disease. Dr. Lokveer Singh, Chief Medical Officer of Gurugram, emphasized that this decision is geared towards enhancing the reach of the immunisation program. Under this phase of the campaign, authorities project to vaccinate around 30,000 girls by May 31, 2026. The Gardasil-4 vaccine, which is being administered, provides protection against four high-risk HPV types (6, 11, 16, and 18). These strains are among the most common variants posing a serious health risk to women and are responsible for a majority of cervical cancer cases. In the private sector, such vaccinations typically cost upwards of ₹4,000 per dose, highlighting the significant benefit of this free government initiative for eligible beneficiaries. The rollout in Gurugram is part of a broader nationwide HPV vaccination campaign launched by the central government on February 28, 2026. This national effort also targets adolescent girls aged 14, providing a single dose of the free vaccine in government hospitals to reduce cancer incidence. The Indian government has taken steps to make these vaccines more accessible, with states like Punjab, Sikkim, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra having previously announced free HPV vaccination programs as pilot projects. Despite the critical importance of the HPV vaccine, initial turnout in Gurugram has been slow, with only about 316 girls receiving doses at government hospitals until April 3, 2026. Officials attribute this to factors such as initial vaccine hesitancy, lack of awareness among the target population, social stigma, and ongoing school examinations. To counter these challenges, the district task force is conducting regular review meetings and has initiated communication with the education department to obtain lists of beneficiary girls from both government and private schools, facilitating targeted awareness drives. Cervical cancer presents a grave public health challenge in India, with the country accounting for nearly 25% of the world's annual cervical cancer fatalities. Each year, India reports over 120,000 new cases and almost 80,000 deaths from cervical cancer. The disease is largely preventable through vaccination, especially when administered before exposure to the virus. Experts project that widespread vaccination can significantly reduce the risk, with some countries demonstrating substantial reductions in HPV infections and cervical cancers after introducing the vaccine. The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) in India has recommended the introduction of the HPV vaccine into the universal immunization program, targeting adolescent girls in the 9-14 age group. The current campaign in Gurugram, while facing hurdles, is a vital step towards achieving higher vaccination coverage and ultimately mitigating the burden of cervical cancer in the region and across India. The emphasis on free access at grassroots health centres like PHCs and UPHCs is crucial for reaching a wider demographic and ensuring equitable healthcare access.

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