In a significant step toward preventing cervical cancer, the Government of India will roll out a nationwide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign later this month. Under this initiative, authorities will provide the vaccine free of cost to 14-year-old girls at government health facilities across the country.
Each year, the programme will target girls turning 14, covering an estimated cohort of nearly 1.2 crore adolescents. Although the vaccination will remain voluntary, health officials will administer it at designated government health centres to ensure wide accessibility.
Addressing a Major Cancer Burden
Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among Indian women. Every year, it accounts for nearly 80,000 new cases and over 42,000 deaths nationwide. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV strains—especially types 16 and 18—causes more than 80% of these cases. Therefore, public health experts consider vaccination a crucial preventive strategy.
As reported by TOI, the initiative follows sustained advocacy at the highest levels. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly emphasised the importance of cervical cancer prevention. Notably, he highlighted vaccination, early screening and affordable treatment during the Quad Cancer Moonshot event in September 2024.
Special Campaign Model with Digital Tracking
Unlike vaccines delivered under the Universal Immunisation Programme, officials will conduct the HPV vaccination drive as a special campaign on designated immunisation days.
Moreover, authorities will track beneficiaries through the U-WIN digital platform. This system will help ensure efficient monitoring, rapid coverage and accurate record-keeping across states.
Vaccine Supply and Global Backing
The vaccine used in the programme, Gardasil, protects against HPV types 16 and 18, as well as types 6 and 11. To support the campaign, Gavi has committed 2.6 crore doses, of which approximately 1.5 crore doses have already been delivered. Officials estimate that nearly 1.2 crore doses will be required annually to vaccinate each year’s cohort of 14-year-old girls.
Globally, more than 500 million doses of HPV vaccines have been administered, reinforcing confidence in their safety and effectiveness.
Experts Call the Move Historic
Dr Abhishek Shankar from the Department of Radiation Oncology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi described the rollout as a historic milestone. He stated that the initiative strengthens India’s commitment to eliminating cervical cancer, protects lakhs of girls from a preventable disease and reduces the long-term treatment burden, in alignment with the World Health Organization’s elimination goals.
Similarly, Dr Pragya Shukla, Head of Clinical Oncology at Delhi State Cancer Institute, underscored the importance of early vaccination. She noted that vaccination before sexual debut is critical because HPV infection is often silent and irreversible, while the vaccine remains safe and well proven.
Single-Dose Strategy Backed by Evidence
Importantly, India has adopted a single-dose strategy for this campaign. Global evidence supports this approach, demonstrating strong and durable protection with a simplified schedule. Consequently, the strategy is expected to accelerate coverage and strengthen the country’s long-term cervical cancer prevention efforts.