India to Launch Free HPV Vaccination for 14-Year-Old Girls

The Union Health Ministry is set to roll out a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme targeting 14-year-old girls. The vaccine will be voluntary and provided free of cost at government health facilities, ensuring equitable access across socio-economic groups. The initiative aims to significantly reduce the burden of cervical cancer, which remains a major public health concern in India.

Use of Quadrivalent Gardasil Vaccine

India will administer Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine that protects against HPV types 16 and 18, responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases, as well as types 6 and 11. Scientific evidence, both global and Indian, indicates that a single dose in the recommended age group offers robust and durable protection.

The programme targets girls at 14 years of age, prior to potential exposure to the virus, when the vaccine provides maximum preventive benefit. Supplies have been secured through a globally supported procurement mechanism in partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, ensuring adherence to stringent quality and cold chain standards.

Implementation Through Government Facilities

Vaccination will be conducted exclusively at designated government facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, Sub-District and District Hospitals, and Government Medical Colleges. Each session will be supervised by trained medical officers with provisions for post-vaccination observation.

All sites will be linked to 24×7 government health facilities to manage rare adverse events and reinforce safety and parental confidence.

Addressing India’s Cervical Cancer Burden

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India, with nearly 80,000 new cases and over 42,000 deaths reported annually. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types, particularly 16 and 18, accounts for more than 80% of cases in the country.

HPV vaccines are among the most extensively studied vaccines globally, with 93–100% effectiveness against vaccine-covered cancer-causing types. Over 500 million doses have been administered worldwide since 2006, demonstrating a strong safety record. More than 90 countries now follow single-dose schedules to improve coverage and affordability.

Important Facts for Exams

• HPV types 16 and 18 cause the majority of cervical cancer cases.
• Gardasil is a quadrivalent, non-live HPV vaccine.
• Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, supports vaccine procurement in eligible countries.
• The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation guides vaccine policy in India.

Evidence-Based Public Health Strategy

The programme aligns with global best practices and recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. By focusing on early prevention through vaccination, the initiative seeks to curb HPV infection before progression to cancer, reducing long-term morbidity and mortality among Indian women.