In a landmark step toward preventive healthcare, Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Programme for girls aged 14 years tomorrow at 11:30 AM from Ajmer, Rajasthan. The initiative reinforces the Government’s vision of “Swastha Nari”, focusing on prevention, protection, and equity in women’s healthcare.
The programme aims to cover approximately 1.15 crore 14-year-old girls annually across all States and Union Territories. Vaccines will be provided free of cost at designated Government health facilities including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Community Health Centres, Sub-District and District Hospitals, and Government Medical Colleges. Each vaccination session will be supervised by trained medical officers with support from skilled healthcare teams, functional Cold Chain Points, and 24×7 medical support to manage any rare adverse events. Vaccination will be voluntary, requiring informed consent from parents or guardians.
The campaign will run in mission mode for three months, allowing eligible girls to receive the vaccine daily at designated facilities. After this period, the vaccine will continue to be available on routine immunization days. The programme uses Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine protecting against HPV types 16 and 18, responsible for over 80% of cervical cancer cases in India, as well as types 6 and 11.
Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in India, with over 1.2 lakh new cases and nearly 80,000 deaths annually. Despite being largely preventable, it continues to impose a heavy burden on families and healthcare systems. HPV vaccination before infection can drastically reduce the risk, aligning with global recommendations and WHO guidelines endorsing single-dose schedules for girls aged 9–20 years.
India’s programme joins over 160 countries with HPV vaccination in their immunization schedules, including more than 90 countries implementing single-dose schedules for better coverage and efficiency. Vaccine supplies have been secured through GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, ensuring quality, cold-chain compliance, and last-mile delivery. States and Union Territories have been trained to ensure seamless rollout.
During the launch in Ajmer, all States and UTs will join virtually through their NIC units, with Chief Ministers, Health Ministers, and senior officials participating from their respective headquarters. Following the national launch, States and UTs will conduct their own HPV vaccination events on the same day.
The nationwide HPV vaccination programme represents delivery-oriented governance, where evidence-based policy, scientific rigor, and implementation readiness converge to produce measurable public health impact. Parents and guardians are urged to ensure that their 14-year-old daughters receive the HPV vaccine, a powerful preventive step toward a cancer-free future.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
