India to roll out nationwide HPV vaccination campaign to prevent cervical cancer

The Government of India is set to launch a nationwide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign aimed at protecting girls aged 9–14 years against cervical cancer — one of the most common cancers affecting women in the country — officials said.

The campaign will begin later this month and will initially focus on girls who turn 14 years old, providing them with a single dose of the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, at government health facilities across the country.

During the first 90 days, eligible girls can receive the vaccine at public health centres, with the programme then expanding to allow booking of vaccination slots through government health service portals, officials said.

The vaccination initiative will be voluntary and free of cost for eligible girls, and is being rolled out under a special campaign rather than as part of the existing Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).

The move comes amid a broader public health push to significantly reduce the future burden of cervical cancer by administering the vaccine before girls are exposed to the virus that causes the disease.

According to officials, the vaccine protects against the most common cancer-causing strains of the human papillomavirus. Persistent infection from these high-risk strains is known to cause the majority of cervical cancer cases.

Vaccination during the recommended age range, before the onset of sexual activity, is expected to provide the strongest and longest-lasting protection.

The decision to adopt a single-dose regimen aligns with recommendations from the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunisation, which has supported one-dose vaccination in certain age groups to expand coverage efficiently. Gardasil, a quadrivalent vaccine manufactured by MSD, will be used in the initial phase of the campaign.

Part of the vaccine supply has already arrived in India through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, with a total of 2.6 crore doses expected to be delivered over the coming months. Health officials said that additional doses will enable broad coverage for eligible girls nationwide.

During the campaign’s initial phase, girls who are 14 years old according to their date of birth can be vaccinated at any government health centre.

After this phase, girls in the eligible age range will be able to book vaccination appointments online at nearby health and wellness centres using government digital portals similar to the system used for pandemic immunisation campaigns.

Each year, nearly 1.15 crore girls who turn 14 will become eligible for the HPV vaccine under this initiative. Officials explained that the age of 14 was chosen because evidence suggests immunisation at this age provides stronger and more durable protection against HPV infection and subsequent cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer remains one of the leading cancers among women in India, with tens of thousands of new cases and deaths reported annually.

By introducing the vaccine through a nationwide, free campaign, the government aims to significantly reduce infection rates and future cancer burden. Early vaccination is considered one of the most effective strategies for preventing HPV infections that lead to cancer later in life.