Two years after it was promised in the Union Budget 2024, the Government of India is preparing to launch a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls.
Government sources say the rollout could begin within the next few days, marking a major step in preventing cervical cancer across the country. Under the programme, the Centre aims to administer 2.6 crore vaccine doses by 2027.
More than 1 crore doses will be supplied to India with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, officials said. The vaccine to be used in the campaign is Gardasil, manufactured by Merck.
Government sources confirmed that strong global and Indian scientific evidence shows that a single dose provides robust and durable protection when given to girls in the recommended age group.
With the forthcoming launch, India will join over 160 countries worldwide that have already introduced HPV vaccination into their national immunisation schedules. Health experts say this move will significantly reduce the future burden of cervical cancer, which remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among Indian women.
The initiative is part of the government’s larger vision of “Swastha Nari” (Healthy Woman), focusing on preventive healthcare for adolescent girls.
Officials have urged parents and guardians across the country to ensure their eligible daughters receive the vaccine once the programme is rolled out. The government believes that early vaccination can protect millions of young girls and move India closer to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat.
