India Launches Free HPV Vaccine for 14-Year-Old Girls

India's government is launching a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program, offering free shots to 14-year-old girls across the country. The initiative, set to begin in late February or March 2026 with a 90-day mega drive, aims to significantly reduce the burden of cervical cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in India. This voluntary program will make the Gardasil vaccine available at no cost at designated government health facilities.^[m+8]

A Major Public Health Initiative

The Union Health Ministry will administer the HPV vaccine to girls who are 14 years old, focusing on this age group to provide maximum preventive benefits before potential exposure to the virus.The vaccination is completely voluntary and free of cost, ensuring equitable access for all eligible girls regardless of their socio-economic background.Officials estimate the campaign will target an annual cohort of approximately 1.2 crore (12 million) adolescents across India.^[m+21]

India will use Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine manufactured by MSD/Merck & Co, for this national program.This vaccine protects against four key HPV types: 16 and 18, which are responsible for most cervical cancer cases, and types 6 and 11, which cause genital warts.The program will follow a single-dose regimen, aligned with recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO), which has shown to provide robust and durable protection.An optional second dose might be offered after 3 to 5 years if needed.^[m+37]

The vaccinations will take place exclusively at government health facilities. These include Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Primary Health Centres), Community Health Centres, Sub-District and District Hospitals, and Government Medical Colleges.Unlike routine immunisation programs, the HPV drive will be conducted as a special campaign on designated immunisation days and tracked through the U-WIN digital platform to ensure rapid coverage.^[m+8]

Tackling India's Cervical Cancer Burden

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India.Annually, nearly 80,000 new cases are reported, and over 42,000 women die from the disease.Other estimates from 2022 indicate 127,526 new cases and 79,906 deaths each year.These figures highlight the significant public health challenge cervical cancer poses to the country.^[m+18]

Persistent infection with high-risk types of HPV, particularly types 16 and 18, causes almost all cases of cervical cancer.These two types alone account for over 80% of cervical cancer cases in India.India contributes nearly one-fifth to one-quarter of the total cervical cancer burden worldwide.^{[timesofindia+13]}

This new vaccination drive aligns with global efforts led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030.The WHO's global strategy aims for 90% vaccination coverage for girls by age 15, 70% screening coverage for women by age 45, and 90% treatment for women with precancer or cancer.Previous screening programs in India, using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), faced challenges with low coverage and limited effectiveness in reducing mortality.^{[vax-before-travel+10]}

Expert Endorsement and Implementation

Health experts have widely praised the government's decision. Dr. Abhishek Shankar from the department of radiation oncology at AIIMS called the rollout a "historic step" that strengthens India's push to eliminate cervical cancer.He stated it would protect millions of girls from a preventable disease and reduce the future treatment burden.Dr. Pragya Shukla, head of clinical oncology at Delhi State Cancer Institute, emphasized the importance of vaccinating girls before sexual debut, noting that "HPV infection is silent and irreversible, and the vaccine is safe and proven."^{[timesofindia+2]}

Dr. Dinesh Pendharkar, director-oncology at Sarvodaya Hospitals, highlighted the preventable nature of cervical cancer. "A nationwide HPV vaccination programme for young girls is a powerful, practical step toward changing that reality," he said. "By ensuring free and equitable access, we are investing in prevention, protecting future generations, and moving closer to eliminating cervical cancer in India.”

The Gardasil vaccine has an excellent safety record, with over 500 million doses administered globally since its introduction in 2006. As a non-live vaccine, it cannot cause an HPV infection. India has secured the necessary vaccine supplies through a partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. These vaccines are approved by India's drug regulator and adhere to stringent quality and cold-chain standards, ensuring uninterrupted availability across all states and Union Territories.^{[livemint+14]}

The indigenous Cervavac vaccine, India's first domestically produced quadrivalent HPV vaccine, is available in the private sector. However, for the national program, the government has chosen Gardasil. The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), India's apex immunization body, had recommended the introduction of the HPV vaccine. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also encouraged vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14 years in her budget speech.^[m+14]

This comprehensive nationwide vaccination drive marks a significant milestone in India's public health efforts. By prioritizing the prevention of cervical cancer through widespread, free HPV vaccination for 14-year-old girls, India takes a major step towards safeguarding the health of its future generations and achieving the global goal of eliminating this preventable disease.^[m+2]