New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday reported encouraging early progress in the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme, nearly a month after its rollout, with lakhs of 14-year-old girls already immunised across states.
Launched on February 28, 2026, the campaign aims to cover around 1.2 crore eligible girls across all States and Union Territories. The single-dose Gardasil-4 is being administered free of cost at government health facilities, including Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), Sub-District and District Hospitals, and Government Medical Colleges, ensuring last-mile access even in rural and underserved regions.
“The vaccination drive is being conducted under strict medical supervision, with all sites linked to 24×7 Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) management centres for prompt response to any adverse events. The programme remains voluntary, with parental consent mandatory prior to vaccination,” a statement from the Union Health Ministry said.
Following the initial three-month campaign period, the vaccine will continue to be available as part of routine immunisation services, ensuring sustained coverage beyond the campaign phase.
The Government of India has also adopted a comprehensive strategy to combat cervical cancer, combining vaccination with screening, early diagnosis, and timely treatment to reduce disease burden among women.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, shared these details in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, underscoring the government’s focus on scaling preventive healthcare interventions nationwide.
