New Delhi, India - The Indian government is set to launch a national Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign on February 28, 2026, targeting girls who have turned 14 years old, in a major public health effort aimed at preventing cervical cancer. The vaccination drive will be voluntary and offered free of cost at designated government health facilities across all states and Union Territories.
The programme will use Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine manufactured by Merck & Co (MSD). The vaccine protects against four strains of the Human Papillomavirus, types 16 and 18, which are responsible for most cervical cancers, as well as types 6 and 11, which cause genital warts.
HPV is a common virus transmitted through close contact. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types can lead to cellular changes in the cervix that, over years, may progress to cancer. By vaccinating girls before they are exposed to the virus, typically before the onset of sexual activity, health authorities aim to significantly reduce future cases of cervical cancer.
Age Group: Girls aged 14 years (on or before the campaign period) are eligible.
Schedule: The initial phase of the campaign will run for about 90 days, beginning February 28, 2026.
Administration: Vaccination will take place at government health facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres, sub-district and district hospitals, and government medical colleges, under medical supervision.
Digital Tracking: Authorities will monitor coverage and issue digital certificates using platforms similar to CoWIN.
The programme is separate from the existing Universal Immunisation Programme, but aligns with international public health strategies to eliminate preventable cancers.
India has partnered with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to secure supplies of the Gardasil vaccine. More than 2.6 crore doses are expected, of which a sizeable share has already arrived in the country.
Globally, cervical cancer remains a major health challenge. In India alone, nearly 80,000 new cases and over 42,000 deaths are reported annually, making cervical cancer the second most common cancer among women. Most of these cases are linked to persistent infection with high-risk HPV types.
Scientific evidence supports the efficacy and safety of HPV vaccination. The World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization has endorsed single-dose schedules for girls aged 9–14, showing robust immune response similar to multi-dose regimens.
(Rh)
