Free HPV vaccination drive to cover 14-year-old girls nationwide

New Delhi: In a significant public health intervention aimed at cutting India’s cervical cancer burden, the Union government is preparing to launch a nationwide free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme for adolescent girls, Health Ministry sources said on Thursday. The initiative will offer voluntary and cashless vaccination to girls aged 14 years through the public healthcare system.

The programme will be implemented across Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, community health centres, district hospitals and government medical colleges. All vaccination sessions will be conducted under the supervision of trained medical officers, with arrangements for observation and management of rare adverse reactions to ensure safety, officials said.

The nationwide rollout follows scientific evaluation and recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI). India will use the quadrivalent HPV vaccine Gardasil, which provides protection against HPV types 16 and 18 — responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases — as well as types 6 and 11.

With this initiative, India will join over 160 countries that have incorporated HPV vaccination into their national immunisation or public health programmes. Vaccine supplies for the rollout have been secured through a globally supported procurement mechanism under India’s partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, ensuring consistent availability of quality-assured doses that meet regulatory and cold-chain standards.

Cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge in India, ranking as the second most common cancer among women. Official estimates indicate that the disease accounts for nearly 80,000 new cases and more than 42,000 deaths annually. Health officials said persistent infection with high-risk HPV strains, particularly types 16 and 18, contributes to over 80 per cent of cases in the country.

Global evidence shows that HPV vaccines have a strong safety and efficacy profile, with over 500 million doses administered worldwide since 2006. Studies reviewed by Indian health authorities suggest the vaccine is 93 to 100 per cent effective in preventing cervical cancer caused by vaccine-covered virus types.

Explaining the age-specific targeting, officials said immunisation at 14 years offers the highest preventive benefit, as it ensures protection before exposure to the virus. Research reviewed by health authorities indicates long-lasting immunity and a substantial reduction in future cancer risk when vaccination is administered during early adolescence.

The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) of the World Health Organization, in its June 2022 review, found that single-dose HPV vaccination provides protection comparable to two- or three-dose regimens. The WHO’s December 2022 position paper further noted that a single-dose schedule can be considered for individuals aged 9–20 years, while immunocompromised persons may require multiple doses.