PM Modi Launches Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive for 14-Year-Old Girls

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated India's ambitious nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The historic launch event took place in Ajmer, Rajasthan, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's public health efforts to prevent cervical cancer. This crucial initiative aims to administer preventive cervical cancer vaccines to approximately 1.15 crore (11.5 million) girls aged 14 every year across all States and Union Territories. The program specifically targets girls in this age group as evidence suggests that vaccinating before potential exposure to HPV offers the strongest and most durable protection against high-risk HPV infection, which can lead to cervical cancer later in life. This age selection also aligns with global scientific recommendations and ensures immunity is developed well before the age when the risk of infection typically increases. The vaccine chosen for this national program is Gardasil 4, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine manufactured by the US pharmaceutical major Merck. It provides protection against HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases, as well as types 6 and 11. Importantly, the government has adopted a single-dose regimen for this campaign, a strategy supported by the World Health Organization's (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, which has found single-dose HPV vaccines to offer durable protection, especially for younger age groups. The vaccination will be provided free of cost to eligible girls at designated government health facilities nationwide. These facilities include Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Primary Health Centres), Community Health Centres, Sub-District and District Hospitals, and Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals. The program emphasizes a voluntary approach, with mandatory written consent required from parents or guardians before the vaccine is administered. To streamline the process, an online booking system similar to the CoWIN platform used during the COVID-19 pandemic, known as U-Win, will be utilized for appointments. This nationwide rollout marks a significant stride in India's fight against cervical cancer, which remains the second most common cancer among Indian women and a leading cause of cancer deaths. Annually, India accounts for nearly 80,000 cervical cancer cases and 40,000 deaths, representing almost 20% of the global burden. The government's initiative aligns with the WHO's global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer by 2030, which includes targets for high vaccination coverage among girls before age 15. With this launch, India joins over 160 countries that have already integrated HPV vaccination into their national immunization schedules. The Central government has ensured the supply of adequate vaccine doses through a transparent and globally supported procurement mechanism in partnership with GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. Approximately 2.6 crore (26 million) doses are being supplied by GAVI for the campaign, with 1 crore (10 million) doses already in the country. While an indigenously developed vaccine, Cervavac by the Serum Institute of India, exists, Gardasil is being used for the initial national program due to its established efficacy in a single-dose regimen. The program's implementation will involve a 90-day intensive campaign phase, followed by its integration into the routine immunization program at health and wellness centers. Trained medical officers will supervise all vaccination sessions, with systems in place to monitor recipients for any rare adverse reactions. This comprehensive approach underscores the government's commitment to strengthening women's health and advancing preventive healthcare across the nation, fostering a healthier future for millions of Indian girls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read Full Story on Quick Digest